James Maguire & Sons is the name over the door on the family butcher’s in Millmount Shopping Centre, Mullingar. A grounded, genuine man with a deep respect for people, James set up the business in September 1999 but following his death in August 2009, his son Kyle found himself running the shop at the young age of 21.
Moving two doors up to their current bigger premises in August 2016, co-incidentally on his father’s anniversary, it is clear that James is not just a name over the door but present in everything that happens within the four walls of the family business.
Over a quarter of a century later, Kyle has grown into the role of family butcher and found his feet. With help from sister Alison, brother Adam and championed by mother Angela, he has continued in his father’s footsteps. Now with his own family, he is proud of the shop they have created and is always happy to show it off when his children come to visit.
A genuine local man
“My dad was genuine,” Kyle told Topic. “Even now, people come into the shop that have come in from the start. They remember Da as a genuine man, who cared about people and his community and we try to live up to his standard. Now their children come in too and it matters to us that they are happy with the service and food here. We get to know them and can chat about their football matches, or school or whatever. We take what we do seriously and we really care that they are happy and enjoy their dinner, that matters to us.”
Business has changed over the years but implementing James’ ethos of quality, taste and commitment to excellence hasn’t and everything from the homemade burgers and sausages, to homemade stir-fries and prime beef is made with the customer in mind.
“I wouldn’t sell anything I wouldn’t eat myself,” he said, adding that new improvements in the shop will allow him to expand their offerings.
Loyalty
The family business has had less than ten staff since opening in Millmount, and Kyle believes that is down to respect and trust in each other, and seeing people as individuals first – values instilled by his father.
“It matters to us whether their dinner is right or not. Take Christmas for example, our biggest concern isn’t whether we sell enough but that the dinner is right because it is such an important part of the day to get right. Communions, confirmations, all these things depend on the food being good. We have a loyal customer base and generations are coming back to us.”
“You try to treat people right,” Kyle said. “Barry [Cronin] is the longest with us, he started with Da as an apprentice like myself. Davy Hynes worked with Da originally in Bracken’s and Wallace’s, and his father Davy Hynes would have worked with my father. He worked for Da for a while but then he came back a few years after Da died and then we took on Sam Corroon. He’s been with us the last three or four years. That stability makes a world of difference to us, the business and the customers.”
A family business from day one
Born and raised in Mullingar, the connections and relationships his father made are in everything he does, including loyalty to their suppliers.
“We still deal with the chicken man, the beef man and the sauce man my father dealt with – there’s three companies alone. It’s probably unique in a way but it matters to us. My father always thought that if somebody bought off you, you tried to repay the compliment. The Amber Court is one business my dad would have started with. To this day, we get takeaways from there, food from Gilleran’s and Daly’s and a coffee and sandwich from Cool Beans: everyone who buys from us. Supporting local and forming a community is very important.”
Grandad James
Now engaged to fiancée Emma Morris and a father himself, Kyle is keen to share James’ legacy and wisdom.
“Da used to say ‘never burn any bridges because you never know when you’re going to have to cross them again,’ and that stuck with me. He genuinely cared and we are trying to carry on that in his name. I get a kick when my daughter Lucy comes in and asks questions about Grandad James. My son TJ (Thomas James) and nephew James, both named after Da, also come in and even though they are just small, it’s great to see them in the place their grandad made, and show them why his legacy lives on, over two decades later.”
The best people
Looking back, there were many people who Kyle wished to acknowledge.
“I took over the business at 21 and now I’m 37 with my own family. I have to thank Emma Morris, my fiancée and my children. When you’re self-employed you don’t always get to do what you’d like to do, but they’re always a support.”
He also wished to acknowledge the staff, customers and businesses for their unwavering support, leaving the last word for a very special person.
“My mother Angela. From the start, she has been the mainstay of the business. She’s been behind my father and then me every step of the way. She used to always say she went from being James’ wife to Kyle’s mother. Without Ma I don’t think we’d be here today,” he concluded.
For May Bank Holiday Special Offers and more, follow James Maguire & Sons Family Butchers on social media. Contact Kyle on kylemaguire88@hotmail.com or on 044-934 4836.
