A WELL-KNOWN family business in Convoy has changed ownership after 65 years in business.
William Doherty and Sons has been a prominent feature on Convoy’s Main Street since 1959.
However, after much reflection and seeing his own family go in different directions, shop owner, Aidan Doherty felt the time was right to hang up his hat and move on from the family heirloom.
Aidan’s father, William Doherty, bought the shop and the adjoining home in 1959 from Raphoe man, David McCrabbe.
With a petrol station and a garage included in the sale, it wasn’t long until Mr Doherty moved his wife and children to what was known as the “Main Street”.
Despite leaving school at the young age of 14-years-old, he attended night classes in Raphoe to continue his education.
He was said to be a man of great foresight.
The first addition Mr Doherty added to the shop was a Printing Office.
This proved to be one of the busiest sides of the business with numerous orders for wedding invitation cards, large dance posters, dinner dance tickets and auction notices.
He also set up a wholesale business which saw him travel throughout the county taking orders and delivering goods.
He sold fancy goods, school materials, office supplies, toys, souvenirs and everything else from a needle to an anchor.
The shop was bustling from morning to night and a large amount of the footfall came from the Convoy Wollen Mills.
Everything imaginable was sold in Mr Doherty’s shop, from greeting cards to ice-cream, confectionary to cigarettes. Another great interest of his was reading.
In fact, he loved books so much that he installed a mini library in his shop.
Here, local people could take a book out on loan.
This was a very welcomed service as it wasn’t easy to get hold of books and novels in those times.
During his time running the shop, he also taught himself to type.
He was known to have typed up many letters for his customers and filled in numerous forms and applications for many locals.
On the run up to Christmas, a ‘Christmas Club’ was opened every September where customers could pay in weekly for their toys and gifts.
During this time of the year, a very large collection of the famous Crolly Dolls was on display and could be purchased from early December.
Known for playing Santa Claus at the annual local children’s Christmas parties down through the years, all gifts were bought and packaged in Mr Doherty’s shop.
Most of Mr Doherty’s nine children did their time helping, serving and getting the orders packed for deliveries in the shop.
William Doherty pictured with his wife Agnes and nine children in 1964.
And many of his 33 grandchildren also served their time working throughout the summer holidays.
Back in those days, the shop was opened 365 days a year, from 8am to midnight.
Despite this, Mr Doherty often found himself rising in the middle of the night to fill up cars which had run out of petrol travelling to Derry and surrounding areas.
But he didn’t run the business himself, his wife Agnes was also heavily involved.
From writing up invoices to accounts, her job was to keep a tight eye on the financial side of things and to ensure all bills were paid.
Mr Doherty’s wife was certainly a huge support in keeping everything running smoothly.
Despite having a large family to attend to, it never stopped her from having her hand in on every decision regarding the shop.
Mr Doherty worked tirelessly with his young son Aidan by his side for many years before eventually retiring and passing him the reins.
Aidan, with the support of his dear wife Rosetta, continued the trade with their many valued customers which they established over the years.
Rosetta, who has now sadly passed, was always a smiling and happy face behind the counter. She is remembered fondly by many.
During Aidan’s 27 years of ownership, he made many significant changes from rebuilding the entire property to scaling down the shop.
From creating a wholesale website to introducing a photocopying service, Aidan continued where his father left off while still making his mark on the business.
Just like he once was, Aidan’s children were involved in the business on a part time basis.
However, as they found their own chosen paths in life, after 58 years of working in the family business, Aidan now feels the time is right to move on.
And so ends the 65 years of Willian Doherty and Sons.
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