Local Galway family run business 'dressing generations' celebrates 90 years open
They have pulled through the toughest tests in their nine decade existence
A local Galway family run business is celebrating its 90th year in business this month.
Dervans Fashions in Loughrea, who have been “dressing generations with style and heart” for nine decades will hit the big milestone on October 9.
First opening its doors in 1936, Bernard Dervan cut the ribbon on the ‘The One Price House’ which he said would guarantee ‘honest value for everyone’.
While Bernard sadly died in 1993, three generations of the family have put their hard work and dedication into Dervans since his promise, continuing to sell top brands in women's, men's and children's fashion.
The family said: “By the mid-noughties two of Gerard and Mary’s children Sinead, Rónán (and later Cliona) had joined the business and were on hand to help guide the business through the turbulent economic downturn that followed the Celtic Tiger years.
“A decade of instability and harder times was augmented by drastic changes in consumer’s habits in terms of both how they shop and how they spend. Such a plethora of external factors put inevitable pressures on a family business, yet, again, hard work and extremely loyal customers and staff has helped the business pull through its toughest test in its nine decade existence.
“And now, Bernard Dervan’s business beliefs will be put to the test on the world wide stage with the launch of our first fully functional ecommerce store. Instore we will continue to strive to present a wide range of carefully sourced quality goods, giving our customers the individuality and in-depth service of a boutique coupled with the selection and convenience of a department store.”
They added: “Our goal now is to take those core values set out in 1936 and bring the same level of uniqueness and service from our shop floor and bring it to the homes and fingertips of the modern online shopper.”