Letterkenny’s oldest shop changes hands

By Kate Heaney

AN almost seventy-year tenure at Letterkenny’s oldest family owned shop has come to an end as Lester Speer hands over the reins of his family’s well known drapery store to new owner Philip Browne.

Mr Browne has bought the shop which has been in the retail trade on Letterkenny’s Main Street now for 144 continuous years.

The store maintains its original protected façade and inside, its many original features includes the pot-bellied stove installed in 1880 by the first owners for warmth in winter, although it has had a new chimney and flue fitted over the long years.

This week the Donegal News visited the cosy store where you can buy a wide range of goods in one place, not now available in most modern stores.

One of its best selling products has always been its large selection of wool for knitting and crocheting.

Lester Speer explained his decision to retire was partly because there is no one coming after him who wants to be in the business.

“My father Ernest bought the business back in 1955 and I grew up living above the shop. My mother Maud (née Stewart) from Kilmacrennan met and married my father when they were serving their time in the shop, as you did back then.

“The shop at that time was owned by James Benson who bought it in 1910 and Magees owned it before that having opened in 1880.

“We deliberately kept the shop in its original guise and Philip said he has no intention of changing anything,” Lester explained.

Lester has decided it is time to retire and join his wife Karen who has also retired. She was the physiotherapist who took care of the All-Ireland winning Donegal GAA team of 1992.

“I am fit and healthy and wanted to retire while I still am. I am a keen golfer and Karen enjoys open water swimming. She has completed the North Channel swim from Donaghadee to Portpatrick.

“I am also looking forward to getting my other hip done sometime soon, having had the first done during the pandemic,” he said.

While acknowledging leaving will be bitter sweet and he will help out if needed, above all Lester wanted to thank his very many loyal customers over the years.

Lester Speer hands over to the new owner of Speer’s, Philip Browne.

Philip only began his time behind the counter in Speers last month but as a child would have been behind the counter at his father Ivan Browne Lindsey’s grocery store and post office in Manorcunningham with a co-op out the back.

“Engineering is my background but the retail business has always been there in my blood.

“The opportunity came up to acquire the shop and I decided to give it a go. It’s hard to beat a new challenge,” Philip said.

The products the shop sells appeal to a lot of people and particularly an older generation and they are still very much around.

“The shop will stay as is and will continue looking after the customers Lester did. It is a landmark within Letterkenny.

“Just last week we had a group of tourists from Norway came in asking if they could take photographs,” he added.

Philip plans to increase the online presence of the shop showing the huge range of wools available as well as items such as table clothes which can then be sent out.

“I have four sons and they will be helping out at weekends and during the holidays.

“We have a fairly unique product and won’t be competing with other local shops. We have a niche market and will stay that way,” he added.

Long-serving assistants in the shop, Sharon has been there for 34 years and Paula for 24 so the friendly service is guaranteed into the future.

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