The City of Surprise and its Economic Development Department conducts annual Surveys of its residents regarding their choice for the Top 10 Favorite Retailers
with the survey in April 2022, and within just four weeks,
“Over 5,000 people responded – telling us their most-loved retailers!”
Brief Background on the Surprise Retail Survey, how it helps attract businesses to Surprise and then the TOP 10 List Below
The City of Surprise Retail and Restaurant Survey
The Economic Development Department Team developed and conducts surveys of residents to determine which Retailers and Restaurants are MOST DESIRED and also the TOP TEN MOST FAVORITE Retailers and Restaurants already here.
Over the years, many companies that made the MOST DESIRED list by a vote of residents have since chosen to bring and open a location in Surprise. The Cover Photo shows Costco, which did come to Surprise in 2020 and is currently doing so much business, that it has sparked intense interest in the Prasada Area near Loop 303 in Surprise.
Costco was not just number one on the Surprise Retail Survey MOST DESIRED RETAILER LIST, there was so much interest that the City of Surprise Economic Development Team not only reached out to Costco regularly to share the level of interest and use the survey as proof, but the Team also threw Birthday Partys for Costco and received widespread news coverage of these efforts such as Cleveland’s CBS19 TV picking up and sharing this Surprise Costco Birthday Party news with photos.
The Prasada Area in Surprise along Loop 303 and Waddell Road had long been envisioned as being the location of one of, if not the, largest Indoor Malls in Arizona. The Prasada Area had long been vacant land, that the owners kept productive by allowing farmers to grow crops on it until development arrived.
When the 2008 Great Recession put the brakes on the economy, coupled with a massive shift of consumer online purchases, Malls in many cases have seen fewer consumers than needed to remain viable, which has led to many Malls being redeveloped.
An article by AZ Big Media shares: “Here’s How Phoenix Area Malls are being Redeveloped”
Before Costco arrived, Waddell Road east of Loop 303 was still a farm road and needed to be vastly improved to handle new retail and restaurant customers before Costco, or any of the other businesses would choose to locate there.
City of Surprise and Residents step up to take actions that helped bring Number One Most Desired Retailer, Costco here to Surprise.
The City and its residents stepped up to take many other actions over many years that led to a Longtime Number One MOST DESIRED RETAILER Costco opening.
A “Surprise Wants A Costco” Community Facebook Fanpage was set up for residents to express support for Costco coming to Surprise.
Those Facebook Page Comments, along with the Surprise Retail Survey MOST DESIRED RETAILER Ranking of number one for Costco, helped the City of Surprise Economic Development Team keep the focus on Costco by engagement in regular discussions with Costco leaders that helped them choose Surprise, leading to the success for the Surprise Retail Survey and Economic Team efforts in attracting Costco to Surprise.
And Key to clinching the deal to attract Costco happened when Surprise Residents voted in November 2017 to approve the Decide Surprise funding package to complete Waddell Road along with nearby Greenway Road and Litchfield Road so that the City could attract the much-needed retail and restaurants. With the funding in place, the City of Surprise expedited the completion of Waddell Road and kept in contact with Costco.
Costco locates to Prasada Village Area along Loop 303 at Waddell, helping to attract additional development
A local developer, SimonCRE, now that Costco has arrived has been making significant progress towards bringing more well-known and local Retailers and Restaurants to the Prasada Area with significant construction taking place now.
In 2022, the City of Surprise added a Survey to Capture Youth Responses
City of Surprise Website – Retail Survey Results Page Youth Survey Results Page
2021 Surprise Retail Survey – Top 10 Favorite Retailers
1. Son Glow Boutique
Address: 11294 W Bell Rd, Suite 105, Surprise, AZ
Phone: (623) 363-1923
VOTED #1 RETAILER IN THE CITY OF SURPRISE IN 4 YEARS IN A ROW!
Check out the Son Glow Boutique to see what makes this store special and then go see it
the Son Glow Boutique which is a Non-Profit retail store specializing in “CLOTHING, JEWELRY, HANDBAGS, CROSSES, INSPIRATIONS ITEMS & GIFTS. We offer trending items, many by local artists. We have the (Hard to find) items.”
How Son Glow Boutique Started
Shirley Madkins – Founder, Owner, President of the Board.
Son Glow Ministry, Inc. is a Ministry I started in 2008 after some devastating personal losses.
I have been blessed with both a storefront and a web business that has exceeded all my expectations. Knowing that God is in control, it doesn’t surprise me at all!!
I have been sending 100% of our profits to missionaries who have lived in Central America for 42+ years, and other Christ-based organizations. The Lord made it clear I was not to pay myself and only take out expenses to run the boutique and website – the rest was to go to Ministry.
Tax Free Shopping – Save 10%
Larry Madkins – Secretary – Treasurer
Son Glow Ministries Inc. Now a Public Charity. The Federal government has officially recognized Son Glow Ministries as a tax-exempt organization under section501 (c) (3).In addition, they ruled we are a public charity under section 509 (a) (2). This means two important things to you, our faithful supporters:
1. We will no longer be charging sales tax at the boutique or any outside sales events.
2. We can now provide paperwork for your donations so that you may use it as a deduction on your taxes.
Our Mission
Linda Donner – Ministry Team Leader/Manager
Welcome to Son Glow Boutique (part of Son Glow Ministries, Inc). We are a non-profit boutique. Our mission is twofold – to raise money for our missionaries and to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through serving our client friends and the community.
Son Glo Ministries Website About Section
We strive to make sure everyone who walks into our boutique is greeted warmly, treated respectfully and given personal attention.
Our clients are our friends. Let us know if you need prayer.
2. Spencer’s Place
Address: 15341 W Waddell Rd, Suite B101, Surprise, AZ
Phone: (623) 473-8899
A search on YouTube for “Spencer’s Place” yields many TV News Reports about this special place. Just a few of the TV News Reports (there are many more) are shared below.
The Spencer’s Place Website About section:
“Our Story
The dream for Spencer’s Place all began 31 years ago with the birth of Spencer. Spencer was born in 1990 with Down syndrome — a genetic disorder caused by the presence of a third copy of chromosome 21. At that time, the possibilities for individuals with special needs and abilities were extremely limited and it seemed like there were few others like Spencer.
Today, that’s still true in many ways. Spencer is one of a kind. He is hard working. He is loyal and loving. He is a spitfire and brings those around him immense amounts of joy.
While as a community we’ve made great strides and continue to work towards diversity and inclusion, the employment space for Spencer and people with similar intellectual and developmental disabilities is behind. After Spencer graduated high school, his next steps were extremely uncertain, but he has been fortunate enough to work in an environment designed to promote his wellbeing and create stability. Spencer is a hard worker and truly loves his work program. In fact, Spencer’s work ethic is one of the driving forces behind Spencer’s Place, where we hope to provide individuals just like Spencer with the access to employment in a safe and stable environment that fosters inclusion and while building relationships with the community.”
3. Arizona Quilts
Address: 12301 W Bell Rd, Suite A-109, Surprise, AZ
Phone: (623) 566-8878
Quilting … Fabric … Tools & Gadgets … New Ideas … Community!
We love them…and, especially the people who share our enthusiasm.
We are Murray and Debe Clarkson, the owners of Arizona Quilts! We began this exciting journey in December of 2016 when we purchased this store from the previous owners who are now retired. We are expanding upon the wonderful foundation that they had built for over 7 years. We are a quilt shop dedicated to quilters and creative sewers, occupying a 3,800 square foot store in a neighborhood center located between Sun City & Surprise. We carry quality, name-brand cottons, books, patterns, notions & fun ready-to-go kits. We invite you to browse, shop & share. And, if there’s anything you don’t see here, let us know and we’ll try to find it for you.
Our amazing, friendly, and knowledgeable staff of Susan, Terry, Patsy, Vickie, Nanette, Lauren, and Lori are looking forward to working with you. Happy Quilting!
AZ Quilts Website About Section
We are so delighted you’re here and interested in connecting with us! We’re The Boyer Family, a local West Valley “Mom & Pop and their Children Shop.”
From DREAMING it up to DISHING it up (and everything in between), we each take a part in what we hope will make your next visit with us a warm and special one!
Tucked inside the lovely City of Surprise, find our cozy little shop, filled with the fresh aroma and a beautifully wide-array of nostalgic, house-made pastries and sweets!
Pull up a chair, sip on some coffee or tea, meet up with a friend…sit a spell. Make yourself at home and enjoy A TASTE OF HOSPITALITY.
We can’t wait to serve you!
The Boyer Bakery Website About Section
The Boyer Bakery has a website which you can view at “TheBoyerBakery . com” (actual link not provided as their website currently is shown as “not secure”).
Here is The Boyer Bakery Facebook Page
Link to a TV News Clip on The Boyer Bakery https://youtu.be/6kx3HlITeL0
And below, another YouTube Video by Arizona Highways about The Boyer Bakery
5. Surprise Comics
Address: 14763 W Cactus Rd, Suite 107, Surprise, AZ
Phone: (623) 213-7521
6. Gifts To Go
Address: 11340 W Bell Road, Suite 128, Surprise, AZ
Phone: (602) 403-0646
7. Sher’s Clothing and Accessories
Address: 11663 W Bell Road
(Near “My Daddy’s Italian Bakery and Cafe” and “Butcher Bob’s Quality Meats”)
Phone: (623) 876-9727
Sweet Tea was founded in 2020 as a small cafe located at 15278 W Bell Road, near Loop 303, in the heart of Surprise, Arizona. Over the past few years, this cozy, hidden gem has blossomed into a thriving gathering place, with intimate space for families, friends, remote workers, students, and even for some friendly board and card game competition.
Sweet Tea Website About Section
9. Musical Surprise
Address: 16846 W Bell Rd, Suite 106, Surprise, AZ
Phone: (623) 544-4200
10. Kimbur Pet Wash & Suites
Address: 17031 W Bell Rd, Surprise, AZ
Phone: (623) 544-7101
You can see how this 2022 Top 10 Retailers List compares to the 2021 Top 10 Retailers List here.
See More about Surprise Arizona on That Surprise “LIST”
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