For the past 15 years, Keith Taylor, 44, and Ed Sims, 55, have helped Greenville residents recognize excellence.

Taylor and Sims run Championship Trophy, a trophy and plaque shop across from Beeland Park.

“We do trophies and plaques for every occasion you can imagine,” Taylor said. “A lot of people assume we just serve the schools.”

Taylor said he’s commemorated everything from beauty pageants and cook-offs to cow and dog shows.

The pair went in business together after Taylor lost his job. Sims had purchased Championship Trophy after leaving Alabama Power. When Sims called Taylor and told him that he had purchased the business, Taylor was eager to join up. The two kept the name of the business, but moved across the street to 1205 E. Commerce Street, where the building still stands today.

Sims was busy making a plaque for a family. The plaque was simple-designed to show appreciation for one family member’s efforts.

“You just never know,” Sims said.

Over the years, they have seen their share of both sincere and sarcastic awards. The two recalled a particularly interesting trophy they were called to design.

“We put a horse rear end on one,” Sims said. “It was for a few guys that were just picking at each other.”

The shop utilizes its screen-printing capabilities to make uniforms as well, Taylor said. This business, however, is mainly seasonal. The bulk of their commissioned works are awards.

The range of services Championship Trophy provides may be small, but their geographic reach is not. Sims said the store routinely deals with those both inside and outside Butler County.

“We do business with Evergreen, Troy, Lowndes County and Crenshaw County,” Sims said. “And we do the banquets for most of the schools in a fifty-mile radius.”