The Maine Merchant Association on Tuesday selected Wild Oats Bakery & Cafe in Brunswick as the 2012 Retailer of the Year.

The award is given each year to a retailer that exhibits continued growth in employees or sales, commitment of company resources to community projects, and creation of a positive work environment.

The association’s board chose Wild Oats Bakery because its owners, David and Becky Shepherd, invested in and expanded the business during the recent recession; because it buys local ingredients; and has committed substantial resources to local educational, environmental, wellness and community organizations, according to a news release.

David and Becky Shepherd founded the business in 1991.

“Wild Oats Bakery & Cafe is an excellent selection for this year’s award,” Curtis Picard, the association’s executive director, said in a statement. “As they enter their 21st year, they continue to expand, hire dedicated and loyal employees and are an anchor of the downtown Brunswick community.”

“We wouldn’t be here without our loyal customers, our dedicated employees, and the Brunswick-area community who have supported us throughout the years,” Becky Shepherd said in a statement.

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