Bittersweet end to 100 years of Portarlington family-run shop

If you know Portarlington, you will know Kincora Stores on Bracklone street. 

Shop owner Tom Carey has been behind the counter for over 50 years, and is due to retire on his 72nd birthday, June 15th.  

While we spoke to Tom, there was a constant flow of well wishers coming into the shop to wish him luck. Locals will particularly remember Kincora for their sliced ham, and for Tom’s good nature.

Photo- Tom Carey at his shopfront. 

Tom’s father and uncle previously owned the shop. Tom’s father passed away in the shop at the age of 45,k over thereafter.

“My father and uncle came in as farmers from the and Tom too country in 1948. They ended up with the shop through some distant relations at the time,” said Tom.

“It was a tragic life they had- we’re all so lucky now to be over those hard times. I took over the shop in 1974 after my father died, I was in Limerick studying at the time. I have no regrets about the decision- I’ve been behind this counter for the last 50 years. 

They’ve been 50 great years- so great. I am sorry to be retiring, but Mary and myself have a few things left to do in retirement, like travelling. I’ve always wanted to go to New York,” said Tom.

Throughout the Recession of the 1980’s, Kincora Stores stayed afloat.

 “Things were so different back then- we had the red book credit that stayed on from my father’s time. The red book was a success for the customers and ourselves- everyone was winning. I remember we used to do deliveries ourselves too.”

“Back in the day, people didn’t have a phone- messages came through our shop. A call would come in on the shop phone that could say “the baby was born in Portlaoise, this is its weight”- and I’d have to zip on up to the people and tell them. It was awful passing on the news that someone is dying or not well.”

After 50 years running the business, Tom had many funny memories to share.

“I used to have fresh cream buns, but I don’t anymore. I can’t sell them from the fridge and the Government wouldn’t let you sell them if they weren’t in the fridge. Lovely cream buns- the best customer was myself,” laughed Tom.

“I remember one man would always come in with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, most of the cigarette being ash, and he’d always stand leaning over the buns. He’d always do it- I’d tell him if he didn’t stop he’d be buying all the buns, not just the ones with ash on them- and somehow he never dropped an ash!” said Tom. 

“My heart would be racing as soon as he’d walk in the door- if I saw him pulling up, I’d pull the buns off the counter,”. 

Photo- Tom with the shop's meat slicer.

One memorable moment for Tom was when a car crashed through the shopfront. 

“I remember one day I was getting fresh vegetables from the fridge for a delivery, when suddenly I heard a massive bang- a car had come straight through the shop window and halfway through the shop. You’d want to have heard the explosion- sure the car was pulled back, the driver was okay, and it was all settled and put to bed. No gardaí, no solicitors back in the day- job done. It’s so different now- at one stage there were 8 shops on this side of the street, now I’m the only one,” said Tom.

“I’ll tell you- a best selling film could be written about this shop!”.

Though the shop is closing, Tom is ready to relax after 50 years of running a shop from 8am-6pm. He stressed that the people were the most important part of the shop, and had many people to thank.

“I have to thank my wife Mary for all of her help and support over the years. She was the back of everything- working as a midwife is far from easy, and she’s still supported us in every way. I’ve to thank my sisters and others for stepping in for me over the years so I could go to the odd wedding or event I couldn’t miss. 

I wouldn’t have gotten to this stage without the help I’ve received over the years- I like to think that when you’re good to people, you get it back. I’m so lucky to have such a great family. And for anyone who’s thinking of running a business- you’ll have to work hard, but it’ll be worth it.” 

We wish Tom the very best of luck on his retirement.