Stafford’s Deli celebrating 40 years
WE’RE all used to our hummus, couscous and taramasalatas now, but at a time in Drogheda when coleslaw was an oddity, one man was forging the way for new and exciting flavours in town.
It was 40 years ago last week when Jim Stafford had the vision to open one the first delicatessens in Drogheda, opening the doors to the shop in Laurence Street we still see now.
At the time, large supermarkets had begun to pop up in Drogheda focusing on quick and convenient food.
Jim’s son Joe Stafford, who went on to run the family business, picks up the story.
“Dad had been managing Quinnsworth in West Street and saw a niche in the market for a local traditional grocer that could rival them on freshness and compete on price,” he recalls.
“He set up the first shop in Laurence Street selling such produce; fresh, locally sourced meat, game and vegetables from the local farms of Julianstown and tasty baked treats from the family kitchen. His motto was “quality produce at realistic prices, and though some things have changed in the past four decades, the family business still operates under Jim’s mantra, with a real focus on fresh produce, local produce and affordable produce. “
But Jim was a pioneering entrepreneur in many other ways.
“He was the first to stock bottled water in the town, and sell free range eggs and country butter, which are all par for the course today,” says Joe, who also has a shop in Our Lady of Lourdes hospital, and whose daughter Orla runs Izmoo Gelataria next door.
“He was even the first to stock freshly cooked turkey so those who hadn’t facilities to cook their own at home could have one on their Christmas table.”
The shop evolved in several ways over the next 40 years and is now still one of the busiest and most innovative businesses in the town.
“Along with our delicatessen and hot food counters, we have fresh cakes, bread and farm produce, and of course a busy catering department for parties, communions, christenings, and confirmations,” he adds.
“We’ve had loyal and amazing staff over the years, and with the next generation of Staffords firmly established in business, hopefully we’ll be at least another 40 years on the street of Drogheda.”