Michael bows out as he closes beloved Cork supermarket

The owner of one of Cork’s beloved rural supermarkets has bowed out of the business, on what he has described as “a very emotional day”.

McSwiney’s Quik Pick Supermarket, located in the centre of Crookstown village, just off the main N22 Killarney to Cork road, has officially closed its doors after more than 50 years of trading.

The family-run business has been owned by the McSwiney’s since the 1970s, with its current owner, Micheal McSwiney at the helm for the last 40 years.

Mr McSwiney said that while the shop will be closed for the foreseeable future, it has been sold to a developer who, he hopes, will then employ somebody to lease it out after doing a refurbishment.

Prior to the McSwiney’s taking ownership of the shop, the store had been in operation for up to 200 years before becoming what it is today.

Mr McSwiney, who is now aged in his 70s, said the shop’s closure comes as he made the decision to retire.

Speaking to The Echo, Mr McSwiney said while he is looking forward to retirement, his last day came as a bitter-sweet reminder of the importance of a community hub, with locals showing up in droves to share their support.

“It’s been a very emotional day – seeing all the customers that are so emotional coming in to say goodbye,” said Mr McSwiney.

“We’ve been very busy with people coming in with well-wishes.

“The store has been a focal point for meeting and a chat for so long. I didn’t realise until now that we were so important to the community.

“I’ve been here a long time, so I’ve decided that it is time to retire,” he added.

“I will be 73 on my next birthday, most people retire in their 60s. I can’t keep going until I drop. As I always say, I don’t want the undertaker taking me out by the legs. I’ve been asked a thousand times what I’m going to do in my retirement, and my plan is just to retire – my wife still works, she’s a solicitor, so I’ll be looking after her!”

But he hopes the shop will reopen again after a revamp. “I’d imagine something similar to a supermarket or convenience store will come in its place,” said Mr McSwiney.

“When I started off here, there were no large traders like Dunnes or SuperValu, they were only starting off.

“There were no Tesco, Aldi or Lidl that seem to be taking over the market, even though we survived away with them.

“I do feel sorry for people who will have to find alternative venues, because there is no shop in the village now.”

Mr McSwiney also paid tribute to long-standing staff member, Patricia Payne, who has been “a great help” to him for the last 31-years, as well as student staff members, Niamh and Margaret.