Dunnes West Street
There was a noticeably sombre mood in Dunnes Stores on West Street, as staff went about their final shift before the shop closes its doors for good on Friday.
Instead of packing the shelves, workers were gently unpacking them — removing stock, tidying displays and quietly saying goodbye to the store that’s been part of the town’s fabric for decades.
For many of the staff, some of whom have spent years working in the busy town-centre shop, the day carried a mix of sadness and relief. While all are set to start in other Dunnes branches across Drogheda from Monday, today was about closing a chapter.
Regular customers stopped in for a last shop, with many taking a moment to chat with familiar faces behind the tills. One shopper said the store “was like a part of West Street itself — it’ll be strange not to see it open.”
The closure marks the end of an era for the busy retail strip, which has long been anchored by the Dunnes name. The staff, though moving on together, described the mood as “bittersweet”.
“We’re all lucky to be going to other stores, but this one was special,” said one worker, straightening an almost-empty shelf. “It’s been like a little family here.”
When the shutters come down for the final time, West Street will lose one of its best-known shopfronts — and a familiar rhythm in the town centre will quietly change.
