Penney's staff memories of its 40 years in Waterford 

Penney's in Waterford celebrated its ruby jubilee last week, with an eighties themed celebration amongst staff and customers.

In the 40 years since opening on Barronstrand Street, the store has solidified itself as the defining fashion retailer in the city.

The store has of course changed drastically since its inception in 1985, with various expansions and renovations throughout the years, most notably in 2014, when the floor size was doubled and 55 additional jobs were created. 

This week, we met with a number of long serving staff members, to chat about their tenure in the store.

Niamh, who has been working at the store for 21 years, said to Waterford 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 started off here as a part time job.” 

Other staff members spoke on how they got their first jobs in Penney's as teenagers or young adults and have continued to work in the store across their lives. 

Meanwhile, staff member Helen, has been working in the store since its very year of operation in 1985

She said: “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 40 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.”