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The Andalusia Rotary Club recently presented its Spirit of Andalusia award to Michael Jackson and Shaun Jackson.

The brothers and business partners were recognized for varied business interests, but most especially for their work in redeveloping the Covington Mall as the Shoppes of Covington.

Their business story begins when an accident changed Michael Jackson’s expectation of playing college football. Instead, he started a car wash, and soon acquired an RPS delivery route. Within six months of that acquisition, the company was acquired by FedEx.

FedEx recognized a strong work ethic when they saw it, and gave Jackson the opportunity to acquire more routes. Soon, his brother Shaun was working with him.

In the years since, they have seen needs and opportunities in the community and expanded their businesses. They became contractors to manage their own commercial real estate property. They are the owners of Andalusia Health and Fitness and Firehouse Subs. Their most recent venture was the acquisition of the Covington Mall, which has been completely remodeled as the Shoppes of Covington.

Because they were willing to reinvest in their hometown, there are now five national retailers operating in a space that was almost empty when they acquired it. They turned over the keys to the final one, Marshalls, earlier this month. When Marshalls comes online, these retailers are expected to collectively employ 150 people with an estimated annual payroll of $3.9 million, and generate $18 million in annual retail sales.

Despite the growing number of tasks required to juggle all of these businesses, the Jacksons have continued to be active in Andalusia Youth Football. It is likely no small coincidence that their most successful team grew up to win a state football championship for Andalusia High School.

Their wives, Toka and Amanda, also are hands-on helping run the businesses.

Michael and Toka are the parents of Ali, Trey, who works in the family businesses, and James Milton. Shaun and Amanda are the parents of Kailey, John Tyler, and Cooper.

The Spirit of Andalusia Award was established in 2005 as a means to honor people outside of the Rotary Club who make a difference in the community. The Andalusia Rotary Club also honors recipients of this award with a Paul Harris Fellow designation from Rotary International.

For more information about the Andalusia Rotary Club visit https://www.facebook.com/andalusiarotary/.