Posted online: Jul 28th, 2010

By Lauren Harte
reporter

After three decades at the helm of his long established family business, John Joe McBrearty turned the keys in the lock for the last time at the
weekend.
The well known Kilcar man has been running McBrearty’s Spar on the village’s Main Street since taking over from his late parents, Jimmy and Gracie nearly 35 years ago.
Now, however he feels it’s time for a change of direction in his life and for “young, enthusiastic and energetic people” to continue running the shop.
John Joe told the Post he never initially planned to run the business himself full time: “My father found that the paper work was getting too
much so he felt it was time to pass it on. I was working at Ballymoon factory at the time and was quite happy there. I still used to work in the shop at night, stocking shelves and things but never really planned to make it a lifetime job. Then I got an offer to work in America
but felt that since my parents were getting older I should stay and get stuck in full time.”
The shop has evolved over the years since it was first opened in the 1920s by John Joe’s great aunt, Madge McFadden and has traded from different locations in the village down the years.
A well known local panto star and member of the Blackstuff band, John Joe has many fond memories of the numerous staff and customers down the years.
“It was all good times and good friends were made. When I was writing a letter for the shop window announcing that I was finishing up and I started thinking about all the people who had worked in the shop over the years. As only child, they were like family to me – we worked together rather than them working for me.”
John Joe and his wife Eileen found it emotional to say goodbye to all the memories: “It was hard at times but everyone has wished us well for the future. It’s time for a new beginning.”