‘The area has made the shop what it is’ after 40 good years

STAFF of an independent newsagents that has proudly served customers in Fortunestown Shopping Centre in Tallaght for the last 40 years recently celebrated the impressive milestone.

Valley News began trading in the centre in the early 1980s, predating developments such as the Square Shopping Centre and the shops in Jobstown.

Linda O’Toole, the manager of the shop, joined the staff as a sales assistant in the 1980s before rising up the ranks to become the manager, and has seen first-hand the changes in the shop.

“It was really busy back then, because there was no Square, there was only Dunnes in Kilnamanagh and Tallaght Town Centre,” Linda told The Echo.

“It predated even the shops in Jobstown. It was mad, mad busy and we got great community support.”

Back then, the shop’s biggest sellers were newspapers, but nowadays confectionery makes up a significant amount of the shop’s sales.

The layout has also changed – from a shop where you had to ask for products as the majority were behind the counter, to an open-plan shop where customers can browse a variety of items.

“Other items have been added in over the years,” added Linda.

“There’s more toys, household stuff and odd bits now, but a few years ago it was just newspapers, so it’s more varied now.”

One thing that hasn’t changed over the last 40 years is the enduring support of the community, which has made Valley News a lasting feature of the area.

“It’s local support and our customers,” said Linda. “And a little bit of trying to suit our customers – the staff really are a huge part of it.

“We’re nice to the customers and we look after them when we can.

“There’s just great people around it.” Past and present staff of Valley News recently had a night out in the Laurels in Perrystown to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the shop, which is owned by Anthony Walsh.

When asked about her hopes for the future of the shop, Linda said she would like for it to continue to be a focal point of the community.

“I’d like to think that we’d still be relevant in the local area,” she said.

“We’re giving people what they’re looking for and the service they’re looking for.

“Theres always engagement in the shop all day long, whether we’re talking to customers about the weather or the newspaper headlines.

“The area has made the shop what it is – we don’t just sit around and do nothing; we want to look after people.

“It’s nice to be part of the shopping centre, and to be appreciated, used and thought of by locals.”