Sir, - I noticed a letter from Colm Humphries (September 7th) lauding one of our local family businesses, that of Paddy Nolan in Vernon Avenue. From its humble beginnings as a small grocery shop, it has become a supermarket and general store to rival any of the big names. The owner of this thoroughly modern yet charmingly old-fashioned emporium is living proof that, in order to be a successful businessman, one doesn't have to be a martinet, or an artful scoundrel.
The incident related by Mr Humphries is typical of the service one experiences in this shop. The staff - most of whom have been there for years (another sign of a well-run business) - are, without exception, friendly, knowledgeable, well-trained and courteous. I remember one conversation which I had with a young shelf-packer who had previously worked in a much better-known supermarket. Noticing the positively beaming expression on his face, I remarked: "That's a real Superquinn smile." He thought for a moment. "Actually," he said, "if you don't mind my disagreeing with you, it isn't. I'm smiling because I'm really happy in my work here, not because I've been told to."
Paddy Nolan, take a bow. .- Yours, etc.,
D. K. Henderson, Castle Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin 3.