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LUCKY LOTTO SHOP CLOSING AFTER SERVING COMMUNITY FOR DECADES
THE shutters go down for a final time this Saturday on one of Dundalk’s luckiest Lotto shops when The Beehive, Castletown Road, ceases trading.
Owners Jerome and Catherine Sheerin are closing their shop after 35 years in business.
It’s the end of an era for this part of the North End, as the couple had taken over the business from Pat Duffy in November 1983.
Donegal native Jerome had previously worked as a manager with the H Williams group and Dunnes Stores in Dublin. He had met Catherine while they were working in H Williams and were looking to put their experience in the retail trade to use, when they heard that the Beehive was up for sale.
They took over the business and made it their home, raising their four daughters, Yvonne, Lorraine, Helen and Avril there, and welcoming customers with a smile.
‘It’s a traditional local shop, a grocery store and newsagents,’ says Jerome. ‘We’ve had good loyal customers, not just from this part of town, but also out of town as well, from places like Kilkerley and Kilcurry.’
The Sheerins took their business as a local shop seriously and it was at the heart of the community. Opening seven days a week, from 7 o’clock in the morning to 9pm most days, they delivered service with a smile.
Jerome and Catherine would like to express their sincere thanks to Maureen Larkin who has worked with them for many years, and to Tracey McQuillan who worked with them until recently.
They stuck with the tried and trusted recipe of keeping a clean, neat and tidy shop, stocking all the essential groceries which their customers would require, as well as newspapers and magazines. And if someone wanted a bag of coal or cylinder of gas delivered, well Jerome would look after that.
The Beehive also enjoyed a well earned reputation as one of Dundalk’s luckiest Lotto outlets, after a number of big wins.
In September 2013, a Dundalk man scooped a €4million with a €6 quick pick which was bought in The Beehive shop just hours before the draw. The shop had previously sold a Lotto Plus 1 top prize winning ticket worth €300,000 in March 2003. Just last week, a customer won €5,000 on a Lotto draw.
‘ The Lotto has been a big draw,’ admits Jerome. The shop was a runner up in The National Lottery Retailer of the year awards sponsored by The National Lottery in the Shelflife National C-Store Awards 2016.
Jerome has been an active member of the local community since moving to Dundalk. He was a member of the local branch of Muscular Dystrophy for thirty years, serving as chairperson and treasurer. He was also involved in the local parish, serving as a reader and Eucharistic Minister and was on the Parish Council. Catherine is also very active in the community as a treasurer on the Board of Management for the Castletown Girls School.
It will, he admits, be a wrench to close the doors on the shop where himself, Catherine and Maureen Larkin, have welcomed customers for over three decades.
‘I will miss the craic and the connection with our customers. We’ve always been a happy shop - it doesn’t cost anything to be friendly.’
He is, however, looking forward to being able to go away on holiday or day trips with Catherine, and spending more time with their daughters and six grandchildren.
‘We’ve never taken time off together so that will be nice.’
Most of all, Jerome and Catherine wish to thank their customers and neighbours who made them part of the community.