Mullingar Store to feature in “Irish Store of the Year” Final

Below is a copy of what we recently sent out local media outlets announcing us reaching the final for  "Irish Store of the Year 2014" - John

A Mullingar store will feature in the final of this years  “Irish Store of the Year”. Highlighting the quality of local indigenous retailers the town has to offer at national level.

The pharmacy at Austin Friars opened just last year in one of Mullingar’s landmark medical buildings, The Old Dispensary directly behind “The Monks” statue, so this nomination is a source of great pride to everyone connected with the store, especially John Keane, Gillian Ryan, Leona Irwin and Eithne Mannering who work in it.

Local pharmacist John Keane opened Market Point Pharmacy in Patrick  Street in 2008; that store’s high quality of service was recognised in “Top 5 in Category” nominations in the same REI competition in both 2011 and 2013. In 2010 John’s brother Robert joined the team, opening Green Road Pharmacy, which recently extended its opening hours until 9pm nightly to meet customers’ developing needs. At the end of 2013 the brothers took a brave step in their decision to breathe new life into the landmark building in Austin Friars with an extensive and tasteful renovation.

All 3 stores have built their business on good old fashioned customer service and value for money while looking after the medical needs of local customers in a professional and welcoming manner. This has been recognised not only in their customers’ reactions over the last 5 years, but also through a range of objective awards from bodies including Retail Excellence Ireland (2011, 2013, & 2014), The Irish Pharmacy Awards (2013 & 2014), and Midlands Gateway Chamber of Commerce (2014).

The 2014 awards ceremony will take place in Galway on November 1st this year. Keanes Pharmacy - representing Mullingar - will find themselves head-to head against strong national and regional brands in this year’s final - Butlers Chocolate Café ( Liffey Street, Dublin), Compu B, (William Street, Galway), Garrett’s, (Castletroy, Limerick), L’Occitane En Provence, (Wicklow Street, Dublin) and Eircom Meteor,( Pavilion Shopping Centre, Swords, Dublin). Each and every one will be fighting it out for the top spot. Regardless of the eventual result, Mullingar’s Keane brothers, along with family, friends and supporters, will be flying the retail flag with pride for their home town and county on the night.

John Keane is the pharmacist owner at Austin Friars Pharmacy and can be contacted at 0868626763.

Film Crew Arrives in Keanes Pharmacy, Austin Friars!

We had great excitement this morning in Austin Friars. Because we have reached the final of "Irish Store of the Year" a film crew was sent down to film us for the awards night. 

Thanks to all staff and parents that formed part of "rent a crowd" for the morning - budding thespians the lot of you! 

As part of the video they required 10 random facts on the store. Heres what we came up with:

10 Facts about Keanes Pharmacy, Austin Friars

1. The store is a 300 year old building that was previously a bank, a county dispensary and an orphanage! The statue of 2 monks outside represent the history of the area.
2. A lot of the history has been maintained in the design of the store – the old name – “the dispensary” is now celebrated in white neon inside, and a map of Mullingar dating from 1914 is featured on the wall of the waiting area.
3. A traditional farmhouse AGA bought locally on donedeal.ie for €450  is placed in front of the original chimney breast maintaining the character of the building
4. The store has two consultation rooms; one for the pharmacist and another for complimentary practitioners.
5. The monks outside the store represent the start of the Camino de Santiago trail from the midlands – next stop saint James’ Gate Guinness Brewery, Dublin
6. Old pharmacy bottles are dotted around the store to emphasise  the heritage of the building and mixing the old with the new
7. In our 300 year old building, niche brands such as Fuschia & Decleor catch the eye, creative displays, and regular medical and cosmetic events really set us apart.
8. This is Keanes Pharmacy third time to be in the prestigious REI “store of the year final”
9. Keanes Pharmacy have two other stores in Mullingar, Market Point and Green Road
10. Keanes Pharmacy, Austin Friars celebrate the fact that they are local and independent and that there is no other store like theirs in the world!

www.keanespharmacy.com