Expert choice and know how in Heavin's Hardware

With over 80 years combined experience in the trade, Willie Heavin and John Rafferty have united their expertise with the Expert hardware brand to bring choice, knowledge and value together to shoppers in Athlone. An Athlone institution, Heavins is famed locally as a one-stop-shop for hardware, giftware and homewares, and is now the only base in the Midlands for Expert, a new nationally based group of independent hardware and DIY retailers who are fully committed to offering the highest standards in service, value and expertise in the retail hardware sector. "It gives us extra buying power for electrical items and hardware, something that we can then pass on to our customers," according to owner Willie Heavin. "Myself and John, the store's Floor Manager have over 80 years experience in the trade, which means we are well placed to offer advice to the public because we've seen it all." After gaining extensive experience in hardware retailers across Athlone, Roscommon and Moate, Willie Heavin struck out on his own way back in 1969, opening his first shop in McCormack's Centre, growing bigger and bigger in subsequent years in three other locations, before he moved in to the Shannon Retail Park beside Smyths Toys on the Dublin Road in a new 17,000 square foot premises. "There has been huge change over that time. Customers now expect a big range, you have to carry a wide range of stock," Willie explained, something the store certainly proves that with the largest display of flat pack kitchens in the Midlands and with one of the largest giftware sections in the town, not mentioning the vast choice of electrical, hardware, paints and tools in store. "We offer experience and personal customer service, that's something you don't get in a lot of the big chains. We're more customer oriented than them and we still offer the best prices," Willie commented. "People are coming back because they're getting good value. In most shops now you can't get people to look after you." Heavins Expert Hardware also offers free local delivery and will launch a new gift card this week, ideal for anyone who doesn't know what to get friends and family for Christmas. Their Christmas shop also offers everything needed to make your home festive from a big selection lights to cribs and Christmas trees. All Expert outlets are owner operated and managed, as is the case with Heavin's Hardware Ltd, which is a real family business, with Willie Heavin at the helm, joined by his son Derek, well known for his involvement in Westmeath football over the last few years. Willie's wife Maureen and daughter Elizabeth, along with Willie's brothers Thomas, a qualified carpenter and John, a fitter, also work in the business. "We are very experienced, we've here for years. Heavin,s Expert Hardware employs locals and supports the local community," Willie remarked, urging the public to support the Shop Local campaign this festive season. "We have great value in our Christmas shop, we'd really urge people to keep their money and jobs in Athlone. We have as good as value as anywhere," he added. Due to their combined purchasing power, Heavins, part of Expert Hardware group, is able to offer highly competitive prices alongside the many special offers, like the current Christmas Cracker deals, bringing incredible value for money to all customers, across all product ranges. For further information call in to Heavin's Hardware Centre Ltd, Unit 1 and 2A Shannon Retail Park, besides Smyths Toys, Dublin Road, Athlone. Tel: 090 6472772 or Fax: 090 6474546. For further information on Heavins Flatpack Kitchen Centre, the largest in the Midlands check www.mystylekitchens.com