Rural shop thanks community for support
It was a sad occasion when, after more than 15 years in business, Francie and Bernie Maguire closed the doors to their quaint little shop in Teemore for the final time last Friday evening, April 11.
From the uplands of Corlough originally, Francie took over the border business circa 2010.
“They've been very good to us,” he says of his adopted South Fermanagh community, with more than a hint of regret in his voice. “We've been here 15 years and enjoyed every minute of it.”
The decision to close comes after Francie and Bernie thought they had a new taker for the business lined up. But that person informed the Cavan family of their decision not to go ahead with the commitment, and following that Francie began informing locals they'd no longer be keeping the shop and post office, set in just off the main road to Enniskillen, running any longer.
Maguire's had been a popular stop-off for the hundreds who pass it's doors every day, whether on their way to work at nearby Mannok or elsewhere. It was just as keenly attended by mass goers attending St Mary's Church next door, built in 1893 by Fr Patrick Finnegan who later went on to become Bishop of Kilmore, or families dropping off children to the local primary of the same name.
Francie, a native of Gowlan, ran the shop in Bawnboy village for a time before switching to the building trade “when the going got good”.
When it wasn't, Francie fell back on what he knew best, and seized the opportunity to run a store in the next county over.
When the Celt visits there has already been a path worn by well-wisher to the shop counter from where Francie often held counsel.
“Lads coming in looking for a bargain, we've had them too,” he laughs.
But its not just being let down by a potential successor that has cemented Francie's resolve to move on. “I'm getting too old,” he says sincerely.
Then there are the overheads. Whatever about the costs of doing business south of the border, Francie says there are “no end to the bills” for businesses, regardless of size, trying to operate and make a living in Northern Ireland.
“This man wants a bit, and another man and another man. Light, heat, everything comes with a bill. By the end there's very little left.
Francie and Bernie are big fans of country music. They're also fond of getting away, often staying home here in Ireland and exploring the highways and byways.
“Camper van boy,” says Francie excitedly. “I'd love to be away in it at the minute,” he says looking towards the front door and the evening sun still beating down with heat outside. “Probably when we get out of here the weather will change. But we might get a good touch on us, somewhere between here and Donegal maybe.”
Francie adds that he'd like to see someone else take up the running of the business. Its important, he feels, that rural shops survive, as they play and important part in their respective communities.
He concludes with heartfelt thank you to the people of Teemore for their support over the years.
“You'll not find a finer people any place,” he says, breaking from the interview to laud two young brothers who've arrived to buy sweets. “Great boys. I remember this lad as a child, and this lad not yet arrived.”