‘Emotional’ day for Bowes Brothers as shop shuts for last time

SATURDAY was an ‘emotional’ day for the owners of a popular clothes shop in Omagh when it closed its doors for the final time after 25 years of trading.

Bowes Brothers, situated at the end of Bridge Street, first opened in 1999. Over the years, Kevin and Aiden Bowes, along with colleague Seamus Devlin, have been expertly helping the men of the town get kitted out for a variety of special occasions.

But, early last month, the brothers announced their decision to retire, marking the end of an era for the Bridge Street establishment.

Their last day in business on Saturday saw many regular patrons stopping in to thank Aiden, Kevin and Seamus for their service to the town. The rear of the store lay empty as the remaining stock sat at the store front, while the brothers reminisced with their customers.

Speaking to the Tyrone Herald, Kevin said, “Emotional would be the word I would use today.

“We have been here for 25 years to the date, opening on Monday, March 23, 1999, and now we close today, Saturday, March 23, 2024.”

“I’m thankful for all of the business for over the years. We’ve had loads of customers visiting and bringing gifts and well wishes.”

Reflecting on what he will do after the shop closed for the last time, Kevin said, “I don’t know what my plans will be now. I’ll take it easy now for a few weeks, maybe book a few holidays, look at the bigger picture and then work it out from there.

“I’ve been really humbled over the last ten weeks since we took our decision to close. The response from our customers has just been fantastic – emotional and testing, but a nice kind of testing.”

He added, “It has been an emotional day, but it’s been nice with everyone coming to visit.”

Kevin, who has been in the retail industry for over five decades, has previously reminisced about his beginnings at Wattersons on Omagh’s High Street and expressed gratitude for the invaluable mentorship he received.

“As soon as I left school I went to work in Watterson’s and I was trained up by the best, Cecil Kerr and Tom Watterson who were both gentlemen,” he said.

The decision to open Bowes Brothers came when Aiden returned to Omagh from England, seeking to invest in a storefront.

Together, the brothers embarked on a journey that would span over two decades, navigating the ever-changing landscape of retail.

Reflecting on the challenges posed by online shopping and shifting fashion trends, Kevin emphasised the importance of adapting with the times while staying true to their loyal customer base.

Despite the industry’s transformations, Bowes Brothers remained a cornerstone of the community, offering quality menswear and exceptional service.