In 2013, Sam Sunderland celebrated 50 years supplying hardware goods and agri machine parts to the people of South Kildare. Over those 50 years quality and customer service have been a top priority for the family run business.
Sam Sunderland senior served his time in Duthie Large Ltd Hardware and Machinery Dealers Athy
from the age of 16 back in 1929. Back in those days you served your time for a period of three and a half years after which you were given a certificate of the trade. After spending 34 years with the firm he started up on his own with the help of his wife Kathleen and family who were always prepared to give a helping hand when needed.He rented a small premises from the Keating family at number 66 Leinster Street for 17 years, which was jokingly referred to as ‘The hole in the wall shop’ due to its size.
He would travel to Dublin every Thursday in his Morris Minor van to collect supplies. Late opening on Saturday was a great business night, as a lot of the farming community would travel to Athy from near and far, in particular from all corners of Carlow, Laois and Kildare, as Athy was a popular business town.
By 1969 Sam junior had joined the business full time and as the business had grown he needed a larger premises. 62 Leinster Street was therefore purchased from the Moran family. Due to ill health Sam Snr had to semi retire and sadly it was not long before he passed away in 1998.
Sam Jnr carried on for another 16 years at 62 Leinster Street until he purchased a green field site on Stanhope Street on which a modern premises was built in 2004. This allowed Sam to expand the business with the support of his loyal staff Pat and Dolores. Four years later the third generation of the Sunderland family, Alan Sunderland, joined the company.
Having survived recessionary times Sam Sunderland’s is looking forward to another 50 years serving the people of Athy and the wider community.