The Athlone name for the best fruit and veg

Ask anyone. Behan's Fruit and Vegetables is an Athlone name, synonymous with supplying the town with the best, fresh produce for over 22 years now. Situated in the beautiful surrounds of a 200 year old heritage building, once English's farmhouse in Scotch Parade, the spacious shop carries what surely is one of the largest selections of fruit, vegetables, herbs and wholefoods in the region. Among the 130 lines featured is everything from the traditional potatoes, carrots and cabbage to the more exotic lemongrass, chillis, artichokes, physalis and redcurrants. A family business, the retail outlet was founded by Phil and Betty Behan back in 1988, who have in more recent times been joined by their daughter Sharon in the enterprise. After spending some years in an adjoining premises, now home to Reuben's Catering, Behan's moved to the Scotch Parade premises in 1998 after deciding to bring the almost derelict building back to its former glory, complete with a beautiful with a beautiful cobblestoned courtyard, traditional shop front and vintage farm machinery and implements at the entrance. Talking to Phil, it was clearly a labour of love to bring the premises back to life, while at the same time, retaining the rustic feel of the farmhouse. In fact, he jokes not many people can say their shop in located in a former cow house! With over 35 years in the trade having served his time in what was Sean and Mary Barrys, Phil has observed a lot of changes in business in the town down through the years, pointing out that Dunnes was really the only supermarket in town when he struck out on his own. "Years ago it was much more basic, younger people are opting now for some of the more exotic foods after going to restaurants. We find a lot of people are using fresh herbs now and getting back to cooking at home," Phil Behan explained to the Westmeath Independent this week. "It might have been bacon and cabbage then but now it's a bit more exotic and adventurous." He agreed the popularity of cooking programmes also plays a part in the products people look for in the shop on a day-to-day basis, as does the increasing numbers of people who are making efforts to more health conscious and seeking out a good range of fresh produce for their recommended five a day portions of fruit and vegetables. A native of Walderstown, where he still lives, Phil travels three times a week to Dublin leaving his home at 4am to be in time for the early morning markets to source the best range of fresh produce. The shop also supports local growers and when visiting last week the first item that caught my eye was locally grown cabbage. "When it's available we get carrots, cabbage, turnips and potatoes from local farmers, something customers really like that they are grown close by and not coming from abroad. We also like to support local growers and offer them a market," he enthused. Behan's Fruit and Vegetables also supplies a large number of restaurants, shops and hotels right across the midlands and Athlone Institute of Technology. Seven in total work in business with two vans on the road all year round. "We sell at wholesale prices so customers can be sure of good value," Phil said. The shop also sells home made jams, honey, wholefoods, local eggs, fruit juices and have special offers every week, With ample car parking at the rear of the premises for customers, the shopping experience is hassle free and patrons can also visit the three other business units situated in the Scotch Parade building including Athlone Dressmakers, Bazzers Barber Shop and Sangoma Therapies and Training. Phil and Betty thanked their many loyal customers for their custom and support down through the years and their longstanding staff, who are an essential part of the success of their business and look forward to serving them well into future. For further information call Behan's Fruit and Veg, Scotch Parade, Athlone 090 6475656.