30th birthday celebration sat Pettitt’s SuperValu in Arklow

THERE were big celebations in Arklow recently as Pettitt’s SuperValu Arklow marked its 30th birthday,

Cormac Pettitt, Managing Director of Pettitts Group, joined staff and customers of the Arklow store for a slice of birthday cake on this special occasion.

Speaking to this paper, Mr Pettitt said ‘we had to celebrate 30 years of success in the town and thank a few people, particularly our customers who have been very loyal to us over the years.’

Opening its doors in 1989, the Arklow store on Wexford Road was the second opened by Pettitt’s outside of County Wexford. Its first manager, John Howlin, continues to be remembered fondly by shoppers.

‘Someone I get asked a lot about in Arklow is our original manager, John Howlin. Right from the start, John had a very good relationship with the customers and that has kept going over the years.

‘Dan Hegarty [the current Arklow Store Manager] is really in the same mode. He’s very friendly and keen on giving people a personal service in Arklow,’

Several staff members who were there on the first day that the Arklow store opened its doors are still with the company 30 years later. Mr Pettitt highlighted Margaret Fenton, who looks after the fruit and vegetables in the Arklow store, and Maeve Broaders who has since transferred to the group’s head office. Today, Pettitt’s SuperValu in Arklow employs 50 staff.

‘ The overriding comment that we get from our customers is in relation to our staff. We want to thank all of our staff over the years and our current group of staff for the good work they put in and the way they look after our customers,’ said Mr Pettitt.

He also congratulated Ben Murphy, who runs the Off-Licence and has been in the National Off-Licence of the Year final for the last three years.

‘ To be in the final three years in a row is a big achievement.’

Mr Pettitt also spoke about the long relationships the group has enjoyed with suppliers to the Arklow store. Thanks were extended to Mark Ivanoff who supplies potatoes, Robert Kennedy who supplies mushrooms, Cullens Wholesale Fruit and Vegetables of Gorey, Dainty Bakery of Arklow, Staffords Bakery of Gorey, Pat Ryan and Pat Keogh, suppliers of turnips and Ford Flowers.

‘We are looking forward to another 30 successful years in Arklow,’ Mr Pettitt added.

Staff and customers celebrate Pettitts SuperValu Arklow’s 30th birthday: Margaret Fenton, Audrey Murphy, Joyce Kinsella, Declan Ivers, Jim Lawton, Assistant Manager, customer Barry Keating, Cormac Pettitt, Dan Hegerty Store Manager, Julie O’Leefe and customer Ann Crummy.