The revamped Garvey’s SuperValu here in Castleisland has been the proverbial hive of activity over the past couple of week as that revamping phase came to its highly impressive conclusion.
Teams of people re-lined and re-marked the extensive car-park as other teams ‘wall-papered’ the interior of the huge store with impressive locally taken photographs.
The good wine till last came on Saturday as Kerry star Colm Cooper arrive at 11-55am ahead of his 12noon to 2pm meet and greet session in the store.
And his fans came from all corners of hill and valley around here to have pieces of paper, match programmes, jerseys, hands and balls – footballs – signed by the great man himself. He must have issued his signature close to 500 or so times over the two-hour stint as people brought along items for family, friends and neighbours for his famous mark.
A huge, wire basket of green and gold balls which must have contained close to 100 was almost sold out and the Gaelic Games super-star signed every one of those too.
With crafty use of available space, the store appears to have gained as much room again as it had since the day Marty Whelan officially opened it in its present location back in June of 2005.
Pop star and RTE Radio presenter, ‘Maxi’ – Irene McCoubrey opened Garvey’s first store on Main Street – where Centra is now – in March 1991.
