McParland’s Store: Floods and fires and still going strong
When anybody talks about Newry there are certain buzzwords like, ‘The Canal’, ‘Shopping’ and ‘The Mournes’ that slip off the tongue. One local business which is just as well known and respected is McParland’s of Newry.
Based in the heart of Newry on Monaghan Street, McParland’s has been an integral part of our community for over 35 years. The family run business offers an extensive range of quality gift-ware, home accessories, furniture and hardware. You can be rest assured of excellence at McParland’s, this is the crème de la crème for all your DIY needs.
It wasn’t too long ago – 11th February 2006 to be precise – when the local community was rocked after news broke that the McParland’s store was completely destroyed by a fire. Several years before that, the store suffered from forces of nature; a flood wreaked havoc on the shop. For McParland’s this was undoubtedly the most difficult time in their long history.
But, in true Newry style, the store rose from the ashes and rubble – with the incredible support from friends, family, customers and business associates – to reopen with a brand new showroom. Since then, McParland’s has gone from strength to strength.
Boasting a brand new website where customers can order online and view the fantastic array of products, McParland’s has created a virtual online store that rivals their impressive premises in Monaghan Street.
Speaking to Newry Times about the exciting online venture, Sean Gaffney said, “For the past five years we have been selling online via three sales channels, we have our own website www.mcparlands.com that has been up and running for five years and we also use eBay and Amazon. Through our online sales we have established quite a large customer base throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland. We also ship throughout Europe and America. Our aim is to provide the same high quality products and customer service online as customers would receive in our store here in Newry.”
The brands on offer include some of the biggest names in the DIY and Giftware world as Sean explains. “We stock a large number of products from well known brands such as Denby Tableware, Le Creuset, Stellar, Newbridge Silverware, Galway Crystal, Waterford Crystal and many, many more. For over ten years our Wedding List Service has been available in store and has been growing in popularity, with many customers recommending the service to friends and family. We have been perfecting this service in-store for many years and we are now ready to offer this service to our online customers.”
Social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter are a big part of everybody’s daily lives and McParland’s have recognized the need for an online presence which incorporates all aspects of social networking.
Sean continued, “Since the start of 2012 we have been trying to increase our customer base using forms of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. We have been using these sites to make customers aware of the services we provide here at McParland’s by uploading pictures of products, promoting special offers and also providing information about opening times and the daily goings on here at McParland’s.
“We also have a News section on our website that provides customers with the latest industry and product knowledge and news on a weekly basis. As well as this, we have a monthly newsletter for all of our registered customers on www.mcparlands.com that provides customers with information about the latest special offers and new products available in store and online.”
With a new website just launched, Sean insists McParland’s are determined to make their brand a household name in the online world. Sean added, “With the launch of our new website we are striving to improve the service we provide and become a household name in the online market. We have a brand new top of the range website with excellent products and brilliant special offers. We have also taken our Wedding List Service online allowing customers to create a high quality wedding list and receive all of the services we provide from the comfort of their own home. The list can be shared with social media websites and emailed to friends and family of the Bride and Groom are aware of and can purchase from the list.”
McParland’s mid-season gift-ware SALE is on now, go down and bag yourself a great bargain!
To find out more about McParland’s and to see their latest stock go to www.mcparlands.com and ‘Like’ their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/McParlandsNewry
Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=15146