Affiliated Associations
Main Street Maryland Program Partnership
The Maryland Retailers Alliance has worked in partnership with the Main Street Maryland Program for several years. This partnership provides Main Streets in Maryland with access to business support from MRA and to the cost-saving services provided by MRA’s many exclusive benefit partners. MRA lobbies on behalf of the Main Street Program to secure funding to enhance the appearance and financial success of Maryland’s commercial districts.
Local businesses, like the over 3,000 that make up Maryland’s Main Streets, are the backbone of their communities and provide jobs, local tax revenue, and neighborhood stabilization. The importance of Main Street districts to both the local and statewide economies cannot be overstated.
The Maryland Main Street Program includes 34 officially recognized Main Streets, and the Baltimore City Main Streets include 8 unique districts across the City. From Garrett County to the Eastern Shore, Maryland Main Streets offer unique shopping opportunities and experiences that you just can’t get anywhere else!
Maryland Main Street Program
Baltimore City Main Streets
Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores
The Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores (MACDS) represents the interests of the chain pharmacy industry in Maryland. MACDS came under the umbrella of the Maryland Retailers Association (MRA) in 2017. On behalf of MACDS, MRA attends monthly meetings of the Maryland Board of Pharmacy and the Maryland Pharmacy Coalition. MACDS also works closely with the Maryland Pharmacists Association and independent pharmacies in the state.
The partnership between MACDS and MRA provides MACDS members with lobbying services specific to the pharmaceutical industry and pharmacists’ interests and general MRA membership information.
2022-2023 MACDS President:
Lenna Israbian-Jamgochian
Albertsons/Safeway
District Pharmacy Manager
Maryland Food Industry Council
The Maryland Food Industry Council was established in the mid-20th century and represents the interests of the food and grocery industry in Maryland. The Food Industry Council is managed by the Maryland Retailers Alliance. MRA works closely with the Food Industry Association Executives (FIAE), Food Marketing Institute (FMI), National Grocers Association (NGA), and other national organizations in order to best represent and guide its food industry members at the State level.
The Food Industry Council maintains the Maryland Food Industry Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who have had a great impact on the food industry in Maryland. Hall of Fame members are inducted at the annual Maryland Food Industry Council Hall of Fame Breakfast.
Tri State Jewelers Association
The Tri State Jewelers Association was managed by the Maryland Retailers Alliance and folded in 2022. Click here to learn more.
Upon the organization folding, members voted to donate a large portion of TSJ's remaining funds to Jewelers for Children in order to fund a wish through the Make-A-Wish foundation. TSJ's donation allowed a Delaware teen and her family to travel to New York City to meet a fashion designer and attend a fashion show. The donation was presented at Bellinger's Jewelers in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
MRA Educational Foundation
MRA’s Education Foundation was established in 1998 and is a nonprofit educational organization. Over the years, over 100 scholarships have been awarded to Maryland residents attending higher education in the state. Every student’s path is different, which is why MRA believes in supporting and giving equal consideration to applicants from trade schools to universities. We work with community supporters and generous donors to raise funds throughout the year, and always have fun at our annual fundraising softball tournament in Annapolis. It is the foundation’s goal to ensure those students who are motivated and able to go to college have the financial resources to do so. For the past three years Comptroller Peter Franchot has partnered with MRA in a social media contest coinciding with Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week. Two winners are chosen and receive scholarships to any Maryland university, college or trade school.
