Macari’s: Proudly serving Kildare town

Maria Macari with her partner and co-leader at Macari's, Arif Zeqiraj. Photograph credit: Conor Healy / Picture It Photography

placeholder image — Maria Macari with her partner and co-leader at Macari's, Arif Zeqiraj. Photograph credit: Conor Healy / Picture It Photography

COMMERCIAL FEATURE: Ciarán Mather sits down to chat to Maria Macari, leader of the Macari's chipper franchise

It truly is a testament to your business — especially one in the hospitality sector — if you can stay open for 45 years.

Fortunately, Macari’s of Kildare town can proudly say that they have that honour.

And that's not all: the business also has a long-standing positive relationship with both the local community and the 22 people that it employs in its two branches (Macari’s King Chicken is located on Claregate Street, and Macari’s The Square is located on Market Square).

TWO BRANCHES

Macari’s is led by Maria Macari, who took over from her Italian parents around 13 years ago.

Maria runs the two branches alongside her partner, Arif Zeqiraj.

The business notably made headlines last month when it released an appeal calling for the return of National Fish and Chips Day.

Maria says the call to action was heard by their loyal and valued customers who helped make the event a massive success.

Leonel Papa (4) and his dad Besmir Papa celebrate National Fish and Chip Day at Macari’s in Kildare town. Photograph credit: Conor Healy / Picture It Photography

In addition to supplying top quality, delicious Irish / Italian street food, Maria clearly asserts a sense of pride over the business and its place in history in Kildare town.

She added: "Macari’s is now a part of Kildare town’s heritage."

Maria also said that the company believes in giving back to the community —just last weekend, the business was among the sponsors of the latest Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh, donating €1,000 to the Corinthian Challenge Charity Race in aid of the Irish Injured Jockeys fund.

Macari's has also been a supporter of the work at Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin throughout the years.

RESILIENCE

Maria told the Leinster Leader that while the Covid-19 pandemic proved to be a challenge for the business, both her and Arif remained steadfast in ensuring its success, and the continued support from customers across Kildare and beyond gave them the faith and motivation to overcome the challenges.

Now, according to Maria, the rising cost of living is the latest obstacle for the business.