By Joe McCann
WELL-KNOWN Newtownards butcher Sam Jordan retired on Saturday after 51 years behind the counter of Mawhinney’s Butchers on Frances Street.
Customers entering the shop last week will have seen a personal message displayed which read: ‘It is hard to believe that nearly 51 years have passed since I first stepped into this shop. After a lifetime behind the counter, the time has come for me to retire and focus on my life and my family.
‘I want to express my deepest thanks to everyone of you for your custom, your kindness and the laughter we have shared over the years. With gratitude and warmest wishes from Sam and the staff.”
Speaking to the Chronicle, Sam said he was looking forward to retirement but would also miss the customers and families he has served over five decades.
He said that, as far as he was aware, the shop had always been a butchers and that his retirement marks the end of an era, with the shop also closing on Saturday.
Speaking about his retirement plans, Sam said, “I am looking forward to getting out into the garden, getting the lawnmower and the spade out. I’ll be happy doing that. I’m not a traveller but I love the garden and being outside.”
Asked if he would miss the shop after so many years serving high-quality meat to the people of Newtownards, he said: “I’ll miss the customers and the craic you have with customers, you know, a lot of them have become sort of like family.
“When you see people over 51 years, you see generations of their family. There are customers who come in who I remember as children, you get to see the generations growing up.
“You build up generations of customers, some very loyal ones. there are also a couple of wee elderly customers who I am going to go and visit before I finish.”
To the people of Newtownards, Sam said: “I want to thank them all very much for their custom, their friendship, the craic and the laughter that we’ve had over the years. I would like to thank them all very much.”
