Forty years of Penney’s in Waterford
Penney's staff at 40th anniversary celebrations in Waterford. Helen Sprice, who has been working at the store since its opening is pictured in the centre.
A staple of retail and fashion in Waterford, Penney’s, recently celebrated its 40th year of service in the city.
First opening on March 7, 1985, the store has served generations of shoppers and continues to appeal to young and old alike who are eager for a fashion bargain.
Its opening in 1985 had significant impact on the city. The store initially employed 25 people, who were all recruited locally.
The Waterford News & Star reported on the momentous opening at the time, writing: “The 25th store in the Penney’s chain will open next Thursday, March 7th in Waterford Barronstrand Street.
“For many years Penney’s has been anxious to bring family fashion to Waterford and with their new store in a magnificent central location, this now becomes a reality for Penney’s and the people of the city and surrounding areas.
“The Waterford store is part of the “new generation” of Penney’s interior design. It is decorated with soft tones ad has mirrored pillars which reflect more light and assists customers to choose colours and styles.
“The store is large and airy, has big wide aisles which makes shopping easier with checkouts located at the exists to make paying for your purchase simple, quick and easy.”
The first manager of the Waterford branch was Mr. Gerry Murphy, who cut the ribbon on the store’s opening day alongside Mr. Tim O’Keeffe, Area Controller Republic of Ireland, Mr. Seamus Halford, Operating Director and Mr. Brendan Murphy, Area Manager Penney’s.
Mrs. Gerald Flanagan, a native of 102 St. John’s Park, was the first ever customer of Penney’s Waterford. She received a £50 voucher prize on the opening day.
The store has been expanded and renovated a number of times since opening in 1985, most notably in 2014, when the floor size was doubled and 55 additional jobs were created.
A fitting 80s themed celebration took place at the store on Valentine’s Day this year, where staff and customers gathered to reminisce on its history.
A number of staff members who still work at the store today have dedicated decades of their lives to Penney’s.
Niamh, who has been working at the store for 21 years, said to the News & Star: “The company has changed in the years we’ve been here. It started off as a summer job in college for me.
“I was here when it was the old shop, before the refits and extensions over the years. Even seeing the shop from how it first started to now is mad and it's really good to see."
Another member of staff named Niamh, has worked for Penney’s for 14 years. She said: “I started in fifth year in school. I thought I’d only come for three months and here I am. A lot of us starting off here as a part time job.”
One staff member, Helen Sprice, has been working at the store since its very first year of operation in Waterford.
Helen was presented with a personalised vase and some flowers during the celebrations last week, as were some of the store's longer serving colleagues to show appreciation for their years of service.
Throughout her forty year career, Helen has served 1000’s of customers from across the city and county.
She said the store has evolved in every way, yet the strong family bond which has always existed among the staff remains unchanged to this day:
“When it first opened it was the most exciting thing to happen in Waterford at the time" she said.
“When we started there was only around 30 of us and the store was very small. Fifteen years later it expanded and I remember we came to clock-in one day and there was about 100 people at the clock.
Helen added: “The shop changed a lot over the years. When it first started it was all girls working here and we were all under the age of 25. Later on the boys started coming in and the shop changed. We also had a small canteen at the time when we started.
“We all went on nights out together and all knew everything about each other. We were all the best of friends.
“The shop is very big now and there’s a lot of younger girls and boys working here but we still all get on well. It’s still a great place to work and great fun.
“I’ve made great friends with some of the customers over the years and there’s a lot of them who have been coming in for forty years. We’ve also seen some of the older customers come and go and we really miss them.
“I’m here 40 years but I still feel young when I come in here everyday.”
