LETTER TO THE EDITOR Please don’t change the historic Haddens name when shopping centre is sold
The front page of 'The Nationalist' reporting the sale of Haddens
Dear Editor, I WRITE in connection with a heading in a recent edition of your paper, and I quote: . And I have a very good reason for doing so.
In 1952, George Douglas of Douglas Jewellers died the very same year as I was serving my time to be a watch maker in Mortons of Nassau Street, Dublin, but that’s another story. My dad bought the shop on condition I would leave Mortons to take up the position as manager and co-owner. I was 22 years of age, had not finished my apprenticeship, had never stood behind a counter, never dressed a window – in other words, I was thrown in at the deep end and that’s where it all began.
In my very first week, old Mr Hadden – or should I say Mr Hadden Senior – came to see me; a fine, tall, stately gentleman, dark suit, waistcoat with gold chain and pocket watch. He came to wish me luck, but also to say – and I can remember the words vividly – “I am delighted you did not change the name Douglas Jewellers”.
Haddens is up for sale now, and who can tell what the future may bring, but surely Mr Hadden would turn in his grave if the name Haddens did not remain on the street.
Even when I am dead and gone, there are no plans to change the name Douglas Jewellers, so long may the two names entwined together, Haddens and Douglas, continue to make history in our town and on our street, which is Tullow Street, the heart of business in our town.
