Longstanding Athlone family business to close
A chapter in the commercial history of Athlone will come to an end in the coming weeks, with the retirement of Angela Blacoe and the closure of her family's long-established jewellery shop.
The Mardyke Street store in the name of Angela's late son, James Blacoe, is starting to wind down its operations ahead of a planned closure by the end of June.
When the door of the business shuts it will also mean that, for the first time in some 70 years, the Blacoe jewellery name will no longer be part of the commercial landscape of Athlone.
Angela is now 83 years of age, and she said this was the main factor in her decision to close the store.
"Age is the main reason. I'm in my 80s, so it's time to retire," said the Coosan resident. "I wouldn't be in (the shop) all the time, but generally I am in every day, for a while."
The business was started by Frank Blacoe, near the former Ritz Cinema, in the mid-1950s. Frank then partnered with his brother Bob - Angela's late husband - and the shop moved to Church Street in the early 1960s.
Angela herself has been working in the business since 1962 and, after it had moved to Mardyke Street, it was passed on to her son, James, thirteen years ago.
While she first stepped away from the business in 2011, and began to enjoy life outside of the jewellery trade, she continued to assist James if staff members were on holidays or at busier times of the year, such as December.
James's untimely death, in August 2020, brought Angela back into the running of the business, and she has carried it on for close to four years now.
She told the Westmeath Independent she will be sorry to see the Blacoe name depart from the commercial life of Athlone.
"It is sad. I'm going to be very upset myself. Bob's nieces and nephews are in Dublin. I only told them (about the closure) the other day, and they're very sad about it, too. But there is nobody to take it over."
Blacoe's has served generations of families in the Athlone area and sold countless pieces of jewellery for weddings and other landmark occasions in people's lives.
"I always used to say that myself and Bob married a lot of people!" Angela joked.
"We've had very good, loyal customers, and we are extremely grateful to all of them for their valued support through the years.
"But, no more than myself, a lot of our customers have gotten older, and many of them are gone. That you can't stop."
When asked about her plans for the coming years, Angela said she was looking forward to doing some travelling without having to check in on the shop while she was away.
Michael Flynn, accountant and director of the business, emphasised the importance of people supporting their local traders, and he asked the public to make a conscious effort to help keep other long-established businesses trading in Athlone.
Angela and Michael also spoke about their gratitude for the wonderful, loyal staff at Blacoe's who worked with enthusiasm, dedication and good humour over the years.
They said particular gratitude was due to the current team of Barbara Duignan, Margaret Duffy and Theresa Carey, and that special mention must also go to Anne Larkin, who was such a stalwart throughout the years in Church Street, alongside the late, and much-cherished, Lily O'Meara.
Michael and Angela also encouraged those who might be in Galway to call in to her son Robert's store, Blacoe Jewellers, at 4 Lower Abbeygate Street.
In Athlone, the shop will be starting a closing down sale this weekend, and any customers with gift cards are being encouraged to use them between now and the end of June.
Also, anyone who dropped in items for repair is asked to make sure to collect them in the coming weeks.