Optimistic veteran of retail Ken Hunter says: I believe the town will flourish again
THE HENRY LYONS department store has been operating in Sligo for 186 years.
For 35 of those years, Ken Hunter Menswear has been one of the building’s numerous independent retailers. The name of the retailer is very much eponymous, run by Ken Hunter who has spent much of his working life in menswear and footwear. “I started out in retail by working in both the menswear and shoe department in Goods department store on O’Connell Street. This was then taken over by Moffitt’s,” he explained. “Some years later, I moved to the men’s department in Lyons which was then owned and ran by Richard Lyons. After a few more years of gaining experience and learning the trade, I took it over myself. So in 1986, I put my name on the bag and over the door and ran it as Ken Hunter Menswear.” In 35 years looking out onto one of the town’s busiest streets – Lower Knox Street – Ken has witnessed plenty of change to the business landscape, welcoming thriving new businesses, while also bidding farewell to others.
The town used to be full of locally-owned businesses. This changed with the arrival of Dunnes Stores and Penneys. Years later, the town saw a lot of UK high street stores come with the opening of two shopping centres and the retail parks which meant a larger footfall of customers in the town, as the town had more choice for shoppers.
“Sligo seemed to grow and the better infrastructure into the town helped make Sligo more accessible. Unfortunately, I have also seen many businesses come and go over the last few years, in particular since the recession,” Ken said.
“Online shopping has brought a lot of change but I believe many customers still want to avail of the in-store service and also want to support local business.”
For Ken, one of the great joys of the job is interacting with people. He offers that sense of personal service that is so commonly associated with independent, local retailers. Sending customers away happy is a high priority for Ken as he owes 35 years of business to their continued support.
“I have had some wonderful years in business, worked with and met many interesting people along the way. Retail is a very personable sector and working in town has allowed me to get to know a lot of people from Sligo and the surrounding area, whether its staff from other departments down through the years, my part-time Christmas staff, the customers who might visit weekly or those who shop once a year on their holiday to Sligo. “I’m very lucky to have such a large and loyal customer base to have been able to remain open throughout those recessionary times and now, more recently, throughout the pandemic. “So I owe them a huge thanks for coming back time and time again. What makes me stand out, which helps appeal to my long-term customer is that I offer a more personal service, a familiar face and a chat.
“Likewise, I’ve been lucky to have staff stay with me for years, some of whom are with me over 30 years. “Customers like dealing with the same people who get to know them personally and what their shopping needs are.
“They know their favourite brands will be in stock as we have a longstanding partnership with our brands like Levi, Magee, Wrangler, Diesel, Bugatti, Meyer, Eterna and Casa Moda, to name but a few. I would like to take this as an opportunity to thank each and every customer from down through the years.”
Ken admits that closing his doors for more than eight months was something he could never have envisaged – but the Covid-19 pandemic made that a reality.
Trade in Sligo is slowly but surely building back up again, and Ken believes the future remains bright both for Sligo and his own business. He said: “Although it is disappointing to see many premises closed around the town, I am optimistic that Sligo will flourish again. With Irish people having to holiday closer to home this past year, it has helped put Sligo on the map.
“Sligo has been underrated for too long but has so much to offer with a fantastic arts, food and music scene, not to mention our scenery on the Wild Atlantic Way.
“One perk of the pandemic for the town is the appeal the west now has for people who can work from home, who will now consider moving west.
“We should see Sligo grow again and see a busier Sligo town – and Ken Hunter Menswear should be around for many years to come.”