'I know all my customers by their first name': Power's celebrates 100 years of trade in village

For somebody who never set out to be a shopkeeper, Marie Power, whose store in Crosshaven is celebrating 100 years in business, must be born for the job.

The lady who has run Power’s on the Lower Road in Crosshaven for the last 50 years sure has what it takes.

“I don’t think anyone could be a shopkeeper unless you have a genuine interest in people and in what’s going on in their lives,” says Marie, who ‘drifted’ into the business many moons ago.

“And you must be prepared to work hard as well. And you must always be available for people.”

Power’s sells almost everything, from a candle to a firelighter, feathers and weights for fish boxes, Calor gas cylinders, nails, matches, camping and fishing gear, as well as fresh bread and butter.

Marie has sold a lot of things through the ages.

“Yes, we have everything a fisherman needs or a boating enthusiast needs, living here so near the sea,” she says.

“Locals and holidaymakers can get their supplies at this one-stop-shop.”

When I last interviewed Marie in 2021, she told me how she ‘drifted’ into the retail trade.

“Shiela, who worked here back in the day, got sick and she had to take some time off,” she said.

“I filled in for her, and I loved it here from the first moment I stepped behind the counter.

“I love people. Every day I get up I look forward to meeting people,” added Marie, from Boherbue.

Marie was loved by one and all from day one in the picturesque village with strong maritime ties.

“I had a really lovable mother-in-law, Louise, who showed me the ropes and who was kind enough to promote me,” said Marie.

“Her dad Nicolas was a guard and Louise ran the shop. We hit it off straight away. We formed a close bond, having a lot in common.”

Marie and Louise’s son, Billy, hit it off too.

“Billy and I had met at a dance years before,” Marie told me in 2021.

Their mutual attraction was rekindled.

“Billy and I never lost touch, which is how I came here to work and get involved in the shop,” says Marie.

“Billy was an engineer; he wasn’t a shopkeeper! Although he was a good tradesman and kept the premises and the house ship-shape. We got married on September 3, 1960. We were a good match.”

Marie’s mother-in-law thought so too. And she thought Marie, with her friendly, cheerful manner, was a good match for the shop.

“Louise was well-versed in the drapery department,” said Marie.

“She showed me the ropes, and introduced me to her regular customers. Relations was always good in Power’s shop and business was always good. Louise knew all her customers by their first name.”

Old habits die hard.

“I know all my customers by their first name,” Marie told me.

“And when holidaymakers or sailors come into the shop in the summer to buy goods, I ask them their name if I haven’t met them before. A how-do-you-do and a good morning costs nothing. It is nice to be nice.”

Marie recently introduced herself and others to the new sergeant stationed in Crosshaven.

“Kevin came into the shop to say ‘hello’ and we had a chat,” she says.

“There were customers in the shop the same morning and I introduced Kevin to them. It made him feel at home, I think.”

Marie, who has made her mark as a shopkeeper, as a friendly face, as a helpful source to direct people, as a good neighbour and friend, carries on the day-to-day business in the general, well-stocked store.

What other items did Power’s sell in years gone by?

“We sold shoes, socks, ties, materials for crafting and dressmaking, wool, and hair ribbons,” says Marie.

“Of course, postcards were always a best-seller. Anyone visiting or enjoying holidays in Crosshaven liked to send a postcard to show friends and neighbours this beautiful place beside the sea.

“During the good summers, everyone was in a good mood.”

Marie had a particularly treasured item in her possession on the day I met her recently.

“When you wrote about me in the paper a couple of years ago, I got a lovely letter afterwards from Bishop Buckley congratulating me,” she says.

“I kept it safe especially to show you.

“Isn’t that amazing? The letter is really special to me.”

Marie has a treasure-trove of memories.

The Ocean to City Harbour Festival has been a flagship event in Crosshaven over the years, and she said: “The skippers knew we stocked everything they required.

“They didn’t even have to ask. They only had to come in here and see for themselves.

“The festival brought an influx of visitors from all over.”

Sailors and holiday-makers enjoyed seafaring and leisure activities.

The ‘Merries’ and the stallholders selling their wares arrived into town, and Marie is still friends with the stallholders.”

Their arrival signalled the start of summer and the holiday season.

“There was a mighty buzz in the village,” recalled Marie of those days.

“We loved all the activity and the excitement during the long summer days. Bus loads from Cork came to the dances here.

“Shoppers came and went to the shop all day every day for their supplies or just to buy a loaf of bread for their tea.

“People came out to buy their meat at the butchers or to meet their neighbours.”

They all got a great welcome in Power’s seven days a week.

“There was a welcome on the mat for young and old,” says Marie.

“There still is. I love to chat and treat people like I would like to be treated.”

Trading is a popular pursuit in Crosshaven.

When the kids went fishing for mackerel, they sold the fish to the neighbours back in the day.

“Then the kids ran in here and spent their money on sweets!” recalled Marie. “They had great fun.”

Power’s, established now for 100 years, has long been a powerhouse in the community of Crosshaven.

Sometimes, Marie is surprised by her claim to fame, as she told me when I met her back in 2021.

“Wherever I go, when I’m out walking, people seem to know me!” she said.

“I don’t know why that is. I don’t go to pubs or anything.”

Maybe it’s because she is a familiar, friendly lady with a word for everyone, who can find whatever her customers might need or want in her shop?

“I think you could be right,” said Marie.

The shop bell tinkles, like it has done for 100 years, and Marie goes out of her kitchen to attend to business. A man who fears a power cut is looking to buy gas.

“Does the kettle and tea-pot go with the gas cylinder?” the man teases.

“No, they are sold as separate items,” says Marie.

The man hesitates.

“I don’t have any money in the bank,” he says in jest.

“That doesn’t matter,” says Marie. “As long as you have money in your pocket!”

The pair share a laugh together and the man is coming back later for the whole package, kettle, teapot and all. All the bells and whistles to see him through the possibility of a power cut.

Marie knows her stuff, and she knows how to do business.

After we share a cuppa, Marie, so kind, gives me a souvenir from her shop. A colourful mug with Crosshaven written on it that is to be treasured.

As we bid goodbye, the man who wants to purchase the gas cylinder arrives back. He wants the whole package.

“I need tea as well,” he says.