McElhinneys founder John McElhinney has been honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award from his home business community at the Ballybofey & Stranorlar Chamber of Commerce awards.
The first-ever local chamber awards took place last night in Jackson’s Hotel, with amazing achievements and customer services efforts of all local businesses honoured throughout.
A highlight of the night was the unveiling of the Twin Towns’ first Lifetime Achievement Award.
The McElhinneys team stepped out in style to celebrate the accolade and said: “This award and recognition is truly a very special award. Not only to John, Eileen, Martin and Angela, Catherine and Joe and his beautiful grandchildren and General Manager Sandra – but to every single member of staff that has worked within McElhinneys and to each and every customer that has passed through our doors or shopped online.”
“From the early days in the van to Glenfinn street, Options and now our home on Main Street.
“Thank you to each and every one of you for the last 52 years and for all the years to come.”
The department store also picked up the title of Retailer of the Year.
Originally from Doochary Co. Donegal, John McElhinney and his family moved to Dooish in the early 1960’s. John began his career as a drapery assistant in a local store and from this experience he started his entrepreneurial venture travelling and selling groceries, clothing and household items from the back of a Dodge van.
1969 – John McElhinney and his shop van
Having always dreamed of owning his own store, John realised his dream on the 4th of May 1971, opening his first premises – a small 500 square foot store – on Glenfin Street, Ballybofey.
From the beginning, McElhinneys became a household name throughout the North-West for the quality, service, and value that John gave to his customers.
The consistent factor of McElhinneys success throughout the years has been the drive, ambition, and initiative of John McElhinney. Despite many hardships over the years from floods, fires and recessions, John has created a destination store in the heart of North West of Ireland, Donegal.
McElhinneys is a multi-award-winning retail destination store and one-stop shop, with fashion, beauty, homeware, accessories, lingerie and bridal – all housed within 100,000 square foot state of the art department store.
In November 2012 John and his team launched their multi-award winning online store – mcelhinneys.com.
The business expanded with the growth of the online store which allowed McElhinneys to provide their 5 star customer service worldwide. McElhinneys.com ships to 100’s of countries worldwide, and the online store has been growing year on year.
