Pete Jordan of Pete’s Package Store in Troy has been honored as the 2016 Retailer of the Year for Alabama by the American Beverage Licensees Association.

Jordan and his wife, Jeannette, were honored at a reception in Denver sponsored by Brown-Forman Corporation, one of the largest American-owned companies in the spirits and wine business. The dinner honored 15 other states’ top performing retailers.

Jordan, who has owned and operated Pete’s Package in Troy for more than 30 years, said the recognition as the Retailer of the Year is the height of his career.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do anything to equal this award,” Jordan said. “It’s a feather in my cap. I thank the American Beverage Licensees Association for this recognition. I’m appreciative of it and I’m humbled by it.”

The business was originally on North Three Notch Street but was moved to South Brundidge Street to make use of the building that previously housed Jordan’s auto parts business.

“My son, Pete, actually got me interested in the package store business,” Jordan said. “It was an opportunity to be a part of a new business in Alabama. It has worked out pretty good for us.”

Jordan said the awards recognition dinner was an opportunity to meet other awards winners from around the country and talk shop.

“Pete Coors of Coors Brewing Company received the ABL’s Top Shelf award and it was interesting to get to be around some of the leaders in the industry,” Jordan said. “We had a good time and were just honored to be there.”

Bandon Owens, Alabama Beverage Licensees Association executive director, said Jordan’s work in the industry has led to many changes involving better protections against underage drinking and improved business practices.

“The Alabama Beverage Licensees Association was Mr. Jordan’s brainchild,” Owens said. “Upon founding an organization in the early 2000s to work with the Alabama Legislature and the ABC Board on policy changes, that organization, the Alabama Liquor Alliance, eventually became the Alabama Beverage Licensees Association. That association now includes more than 50 members around the state. As a founder, Mr. Jordan became the first vice president of the organization and served in that role for more than five years.”