Community store celebrates 15 years in business with further expansion for local shoppers

A refurbishment of Ewing’s SPAR in Carryduff has completed just in time to celebrate 15 years of serving the local community.

Since 2008, the store, which is owned by Alan and Allison Ewing, has now seen four major refurbishments with significant investment from the couple, who have expanded their workforce from 12 employees in 2008 to a team of 22 today from the local area.

Over the years, the store has been constantly improving to ensure it provides top quality services and products for its shoppers. The most recent refurbishment has brought a brand new look for the store, with new refrigeration, new flooring, and a number of new product ranges available.

Reurbishments over the years have also introduced an instore post office, which has been made possible thanks to the investments the family contributed to the store, totaling £300,000 across the past 15 years.

Community has always been at the heart of the store, often supporting sports days of two local schools, Carryduff Primary School and Moneyrea Primary School, as well as Carryduff Playgroup. The store has provided the schools with sports day kits as well as snacks and drinks to be enjoyed at the events.

Allison and Alan Ewing, store owners of Ewing’s SPAR in Carryduff

Ewing’s SPAR has always played an important role in community events such as providing sponsorship for the Christmas light switch on and multiple summer fairs, as well as making donations to the local food bank. During the pandemic, the team showed extra support to the local community, providing a delivery service for shoppers, which proved to be especially useful for the elderly community.

Alan Ewing, store owner, commented, “The delivery service is something we felt very passionate about, it was so important to us to be able to provide for the community in any way we could in a time of need. We love being such a big part of our area and enjoy seeing friendly faces in store and looking out for our shoppers.”

It is also important to the team to support local charities, holding annual fundraising events for Marie Curie including the Blooming Great Summer weekend and a number of instore dress up days, as well as supporting Tearfund each Christmas.

The store also plan to spend the rest of the summer fundraising to have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) installed outside the store, which will be available for the community 24/7, providing essential access even when the store is not open.

To celebrate their anniversary, the store hosted a customer appreciation event in July, with an exciting giveaway as a way of saying thank you to their loyal shoppers who have supported them for the past 15 years.

Alan added, “We have really enjoyed celebrating 15 years alongside our shoppers and showing our appreciation for their dedication and support over the years.

“We love serving this great community and look forward to many more successful years here at Ewing’s SPAR, Carryduff.”

(L-R) Pictured celebrating 15 years of Ewing’s SPAR are June Trimble, Logan Willis, Stephen Gibson, Henderson Group Franchise Channel Sales Manager, Allison Ewing, Store Owner, Justin Hayes, Regional Sales Manager at Henderson Group, Alan Ewing, Store Owner, Arlene Simmons, Henderson Group Business Development Manager, Tara Knowles, Charlie Mullan and Heather Smyth.