Sometimes, you can’t imagine a town without a certain shop being in it.
This is certainly the case for Simpson’s Gala in Stradbally, and the well-known shop and bakery is marking their 20th birthday in style this Friday, June 29.
To mark 20 years in business, Simpson’s are giving out their renowned and much-loved ice-cream cones and have many activities happening on the day including facepainting, Jenga, Connect4, as well as live music.
The shop’s roots began when David and Ann Simpson decided to buy the premises after David became ill.
“We knew David didn’t have much time left and we were looking for something that I could run and still be close to the kids. The shop was only two doors away from us,” said Ann.
David and Ann bought the former sweet shop and medical hall and turned it into Stradbally’s first ever supermarket. Sadly, David passed away 23 months later but Ann’s determination and hard work sees Simpson’s Gala still standing strong on Stradbally’s Main Street.
Entrepreneurship in adversity
This wouldn’t be the first time Ann overcame adversity as a business person. When the recession hit, she decided the shop needed a unique selling point – a decision that has gone down a hit with those in Stradbally.
“I thought we needed something else, so I started making my own bread, scones, tarts and muffins here. We now also do fresh cream cakes and cakes for celebrations,” said Ann.
As well as being the first supermarket in Stradbally, Simpson’s also brought the first ATM to Stradbally in 2003, which was officially opened by the footballing manager of the moment, Micko Dwyer and selector Sean Dempsey.
Fourteen years on, there is still an ATM in Simpson’s, the ice-cream is as delicious as ever and here’s hoping they will be celebrating many more years in business.
SEE ALSO – Festival to celebrate 20 years of Woodenbridge Paddlers gets underway this weekend
