Fitzpatrick’s Fruit and Veg shop on John’s Green in Kilkenny is the last remaining traditional greengrocer in the city, having proved to be a cornerstone of the community over the last number of decades.
Formerly known as Iverk Produce or Silver Springs, the shop was opened by the O’Shea family in 1978, before its current owners, Kilkenny natives, Katrina and Brian Fitzpatrick, took over the premises 20 years ago.
The married couple have expertly steered the shop through challenging economic times, buckling the trend which saw the demise of the traditional greengrocer in towns and cities across Ireland.
As the last fruit and vegetable shop in the city centre, the couple have accredited their prevailing success to their loyal customer base.
“We’re a local family that have been living here in Kilkenny all our lives and that’s why people like coming in. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the support of all the local customers and local people that come through the door every day,” owner, Brian Fitzpatrick said.
While the business has only been in the family for the last two decades, Fitzpatrick has been involved in the shop since its origin.
In what can now only be described as an interesting twist of fate, Fitzpatrick, aged 16-years-old, helped to stock the premises on the day it first opened its doors 46 years ago, unbeknownst to the fact that one day, he would eventually take over the running of the establishment.
The couple have observed a number of changes to the shop’s offerings over the last 20 years, in a bid to keep afloat and up to date with changing consumption patterns.
“We opened the shop about 20 years ago when it was solely fruit and veg, but in the last 10 years, we’ve diversified into other products to ensure we can survive in this game.
“There are a lot more products on the market nowadays and people eating habits have changed big time, so we have to try and cater for all that.
“They [customers] use a lot more fancy goods, such as sweet potatoes and butternut squash, which wouldn’t have been heard of 20 years ago,” Fitzpatrick said.
While their product range has changed over the years, their steadfast support for local producers has remained a constant feature of their business model, with the majority of their suppliers originating from Ireland.
The Fitzpatricks pride themselves in providing high quality produce from local producers, guided by their motto: ‘what’s grown yesterday, is sold here today’, which is integral to their success story.
“There were seven greengrocers here at one stage and we’re the only one left here now. We survived because we kept our costs as low as we can and we get great support from local people – only for that, we would be finished.
“2024 has been quite good. It has been very challenging at times with inflated energy costs and then the price of products have sky rocketed in some areas, but we’ve worked through it and we’re looking forward to 2025.
“If we can keep sales consistent in the new year, we’d be happy enough, if we increase sales well and good but otherwise, we’d just like to keep it sales as they are,” Fitzpatrick said.
The local family run business have distinguished themselves from retail behemoths by adopting a personalised customer service, with many of their customers known to the couple on a first name basis.
Fitzpatrick confirmed that this personal rapport with their customers, which is so often lacking in bigger retailers, is something he cherishes and forms a key argument in favour of preserving the tradition of the local greengrocer.