Continuing a family tradition that

Taking over a family business that had been established in Athlone for some 70 years may seem like a somewhat daunting task, but that's exactly what Marese Ward Shine did five years ago when she took over the reins at The Arcade and she hasn't looked back since. Renowned as much for its quality interiors and baby clothes as it is for its friendly and quality service, The Arcade has built up a legion of loyal customers over the years. So much so in fact that Marese now finds herself serving the grandchildren of customers first served by her grandmother Sally Casserly. Sally established the business around 75 years ago and this was later taken over by Marese's mother Bernie and her husband Matt Ward. Having spent some time as marketing manager with a communications company in Athlone, Marese joined the family business in 2000 and four years later took over when her parents retired. And while she only formally joined the company in 2000, Marese was often in the shop when she was growing up. "Because it's a family business I've been here since I was a child, I grew up around it," said Marese. The Arcade, which is located on Pearse Street, near The Left Bank Mall, specialises in made to measure blinds, ready made curtains, poles, bedding and other interiors as well as stocking a wide range of baby clothes. Marese explained: "We pride ourselves on giving a personal service that you don't get with a lot of larger stores. We're here to offer expert advice, provide a professional measuring and fitting service for curtains and blinds and an after sales service should anything go wrong. It's a complete package." And it is this type of service and the reputation The Arcade has built over the past 75 years in Athlone that ensures it holds onto its customers and enjoys a huge amount of repeat business. "People have a lot of loyalty. I have people coming in who bought blinds from my dad 25 years ago," said Marese. The Arcade offers a wide range of window blinds, to include roller, Venetian, pleated, Velux and has just launched a range of shutters, something Marese said she decided to do after having a huge amount of enquiries about shutters. Despite the downturn in the property market, Marese said business at The Arcade is still quite good. "Even though there is a downturn in the building trade we have a lot of repeat business. People are renovating rather than moving and people who bought from my dad are coming back to me. We also specialise in commercial service, including schools, offices and factories and have clients such as Eircom, Elan, St Hilda's, CIE and the OPW, to name but a few," she said. She added that because The Arcade is so well established they know the business well. "We're here over 70 years, we've learned a huge amount and we know our job. We won't supply anything that won't work. We're very competitively priced and we supply quality products and a quality service," said Marese. And while interiors is the main business of The Arcade, the shop also stocks a wide range of clothes for babies and children, specialising in christening wear. The Arcade also offers a wide range of baby gifts and hampers and Marese explained that the shop provides a fee gift wrapping service. She said because of the stage she is at with her own two children she is very conscious of the type of clothes she buys in and also of ensuring they are reasonably priced. "Our baby clothes are very keenly priced because kids grow out of them so quickly. I understand people want to buy good quality gifts for babies that they won't find everywhere but that they don't have to pay too much for as babies grow so quickly," explained Marese. She added that The Arcade also stocks a great selection of fleece blankets and is currently running a number of special offers on these. Marese is also delighted to be located on the town's westside, an area she said which has a huge amount to offer and explained there is private parking located behind The Arcade. She said the street has a lot of character, particularly since it has been redeveloped. And while she is delighted to have so many loyal customers from the town's westside, Marese said she also appreciates the people who come from the other side of town to shop at The Arcade. Marese is married to Feargal Shine and has two sons John and Matthew and lives in Waterville in Bealnamulla. She said she would encourage people to shop locally and is keen to point out that small businesses are what make a town. "Growing up in a business family I was always conscious of spending in the town and supporting local businesses," she said. Marese would like to thank her customers past and present and said she hopes to serve them for many years to come.