The Donegal-owned Maple Group has announced more plans to expand, just twelve months after the opening of the first re-branded Maple store.
The Maple Group now has six convenience stores and five with forecourts located throughout rural communities in Donegal.
Brian Murphy, General Manager of the Maple Group said: “We are delighted with the news this week that we have secured planning permission for a new store. This will enable us to continue the expansion of our Maple brand across Donegal and as new locations are secured, we will be making further announcements.”
Brian continued: “We at Maple Group are blown away with the positive feedback from our customers. Our aim was to have independent purchasing ability, so our customers would not only benefit from great value products, we would also give a platform to small artisan producers in the county to sell their produce.
“Unlike other symbol groups our independence means we can tailor our stores to local needs while supporting local suppliers such as Cois Farraige Bakery in Bunbeg, Kinnegar Brewery, a craft beer company based in Letterkenny, L.A.N. Teo an organic farm based in Falcarragh to name but a few.”
“And over the coming months we are hoping to expand upon this as more local producers come on board. We are continuing to build on our quality; with fresh food being the focus in all our stores. And partnering with Circle K and Donegal Oil Company has given us the ability to remain competitive in our five forecourts,” said Brian.
Maple Group stores are located in Milford, Carrigart, Castlefinn, Burtonport, Falcarragh and Derrybeg.
The ethos behind the new brand will lead in the coming months to the advanced planning initiative for a, “Produced in Donegal for Maple” symbol. This will clearly show customers when they are truly buying local.
Ann Foy, Mary McGlynn, Emma Bogan, Larry Doherty, Pearl Doherty
Speaking on behalf of the group, managing director, Arthur McMahon commented, “We are absolutely thrilled to announce that in just a short twelve month period our plans to expand our brand to further locations throughout Donegal are well underway. We currently employ 60 people from the local areas and hope that we can double that within the next two years.”
The Maple “Community Fund Project” was launched in their Derrybeg store earlier this year, another initiative enabling local charities & groups to avail of additional funding. This initiative was set up so Maple could give back to their local communities in appreciation of their custom. It will be rolled out in all six locations before the end of the year.
Maple Group have helped raise over €50,000 for local and national charitable organisations within the past year. The Stores will continue to offer their premises to assist and help local & national fundraising campaigns.
In all locations the expansion plans are welcomed by their customers and staff, who have supported the fact that Maple are local and independent and community focussed.
The dedicated and friendly managers and staff would like to take this opportunity to thank their customers for supporting their local Maple and Maple Express Store and for all their business over the past year. Building on the best customer shopping experience and service is what Maple management and staff will continue to deliver. Serving customers in the heart of their local communities is at the heart of the Maple Brand.
INSTORE MAPLE HALLOWEEN COLOURING COMPETITION COMPETITION
