Carnival atmosphere marks grand reopening of Mayo town store
Staff at Nolan’s Centra.
There was a real sense of celebration in Ballyhaunis on Tuesday, July 9th, as Nolan’s Centra on Abbey Street reopened its doors to the public after an extensive seven-week refurbishment. Following a major €1.5 million investment, the store has been completely transformed into a state-of-the-art retail space, offering the very latest in convenience shopping.
The sun shone brightly as a large crowd gathered to enjoy the official reopening, which had all the trappings of a local festival. Children queued excitedly for free Moo’d Ice Cream and face painting, while shoppers sipped Frank and Honest coffee and explored the fresh new look of the store.
The carnival atmosphere was a fitting tribute to a store that has long played a central role in the Ballyhaunis community—and now looks set to do so for many years to come.
For Jeff and Mary Nolan, the proud owners of both the SuperValu and Centra stores in Ballyhaunis, the day marked the culmination of months of hard work and vision. “We’re absolutely delighted,” said Jeff, smiling as he welcomed customers through the doors. “This project has been in the works for over a year and a half. We bought the store last November, and to see it open today, fully revamped, and with such a great crowd turning out, is just incredible. This is now the most modern Centra in the country, right here in Ballyhaunis.”
The revamped store now boasts premium Centra brand offerings such as The Happy Pear, Donnybrook Fair, Clean Cut Kitchen, and Caramico pizza, alongside an extended deli, a full off-licence, and an impressive bakery. Sustainability is also a core feature of the redesign, with energy-efficient refrigeration, LED lighting, and solar panels installed to reduce energy consumption by up to 70% over the next year.
The location of the store was repeatedly praised throughout the day as one of its major strengths. Situated on Abbey Street, close to the primary school, the town’s railway station, and a well-used playground and park, the new Centra is perfectly placed to serve busy parents, commuters, and families alike.
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Customers arriving throughout the day were visibly impressed. Many remarked on the bright, airy layout, the vast range of products, and the exceptional value available. With Centra's national buying power behind them, Jeff and Mary have managed to ensure that their local store remains highly competitive, offering strong weekly offers across all departments.
“We’re not just offering convenience here,” Jeff explained. “People can do a full shop if they want to. We’ve retained strong value for money with Centra’s own brand ranges, which are on par with the best supermarket prices, and there’s a huge emphasis on fresh food—from our deli to our grocery aisles.”
Store manager Karen Kilbane, was visibly proud of her team and the transformation that had taken place. “We took over this shop on November 28th and started trading immediately,” she said. “We closed again in May for the renovations and completely gutted the place. What we have now is unrecognisable—it’s modern, efficient, and totally focused on what our customers need.”
Karen, who has worked in local retail for 26 years, said the excitement among staff was palpable in the lead-up to reopening. “We’ve got a fantastic team here—about 20 in this store—and another great crew up in SuperValu. We’re well used to being busy, and we love serving this community.”
As children played in the park across the road and customers popped in for ice cream or a coffee, it was clear that Nolan’s Centra has quickly reclaimed its place as a community hub. The store’s reopening represents not only a major investment in Ballyhaunis but a strong commitment to serving its people.
In an era when many rural towns fear losing key services, the reopening of Nolan’s Centra bucks the trend. It is proof that with vision, hard work, and community support, local businesses can not only survive but thrive.
And for Jeff and Mary Nolan, the journey is far from over. “We’re grateful for the support of the people of Ballyhaunis,” Mary said. “This store is for them—and we’re looking forward to continuing to grow with them in the years ahead.”
