At the heart of the community

At the heart of the community

30 April 2014

NEARLY 100 years ago Joe McGrath’s family opened a store that would be the focus of community life in rural Annacloy. 

Although it would later spend some time out of family hands it was brought back to life locally by Joe in 1984 — who this week celebrated 30 years at the helm. And at 78 years of age he shows no sign of slowing down.

A farmer by trade, Joe had 15 children along the way, and no personal experience of the retail trade. 

But he convinced the bank he should give it a go and has never looked back.

It’s hard work, he says, but getting up at 2 o’clock in the morning to tend to the farm is harder, and it has always been a family effort.

All of Joe’s nine girls and six boys have helped in McGrath’s along the way, with several still working for the family business.

“It was a small farm, 40 acres,” he said, explaining he wanted to leave something more for his children. “My uncle John Rodgers in 1916 had the same site. The original wall is still here, 20ft by 30ft long.

“There was petrol here in 1918 at 10 pence ha’penny a gallon. I think there was only about four cars in the local vicinity.

“My uncle then had it until about 1960.”

Joe said he had been thwarted by planners in a bid to extend upstairs but had nevertheless managed to provide a wide range of services at the Mace store, including a Post Office, Lottery and a range of solid fuels and home heating oil. Keeping with the family tradition, Joe has also kept the ‘trade section’ going.

“We still have our buckets and boots so the old character is retained,” he said.

The big difference he notices in the modern consumer is not what what they want, but how they pay.

“It was all cash at the start, now it is all credit cards, even for a small amount,” he said.

“Opening the Post Office seven years ago was another big change. Because you can park right at the door we have definitely had people come in to us from Downpatrick because of the traffic wardens.

“They also come in from the schools after 2pm for their ice cream and hush puppies. Then there are 

people on their way to the ferry, the passing trade.”

McGrath’s sponsors the local Teconnaught football team and he says there is plenty of football and soccer banter in the store and “some stories I could not repeat”.

Although Joe has since expanded his farm, he says he still enjoys retail life, especially as he is no longer “doing the early call” and can leave that to his children.

“You are meeting people here all the time which I like,” he said.

“I would like to thank my family and current staff here at McGrath’s as well as the staff who have worked here over the years for their hard work and dedication. I would also like to extend a sincere thank you to all of our customers for their continued loyalty and support.”

Offering his congratulations was Mace Sales Director of Musgrave Retail Partners, Trevor Magill, who attended McGrath’s 30th birthday celebrations this week in store.

“Congratulations to Joe and the McGrath family who have reached a fantastic achievement in business with this 30 year milestone,” he said. 

“The family-run store continues to provide a fantastic service to its local community and I wish them all the best for the next 30 years in business.”