Retiring store owner sold on an easier life

Feb 26 2009 by Richard Mooney, Hamilton Advertiser

AN ‘open-all-hours’ Hamilton shopkeeper will retire this week after serving the community for almost 20 years.

Robert McTaggart (52), owner of Croftwood Store in Croftwood Road, will hand over the shop to its new owner, a Motherwell-based businessman, by the end of the week.

Having lived in Hamilton all his life, Robert found a new love for the town and its people when he started his first shop in Alness Terrace, the Glebe, during the early 1980s.

Robert still lives above the old shop he ran there nearly 30 years ago.

Moving on to Croftwood Store, Robert became an integral part of the Fairhill community, only closing his shop for one day during his 20-year reign.

After a series of back problems, the ex-Low Waters Primary pupil came to the conclusion it was time to slow down.

Prior to owning Croftwood Store, Robert worked as a coach builder for Pollock’s of Carfin for eight years before they went into liquidation in 1982.

The Hamilton man is no stranger to hard graft.

He said: ”I’ll find it hard to adjust after retiring because I’ve worked seven days a week since I left school.

“I’ve been here 20 years and I’ve only been closed one day, that’s counting Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

“I’ve not thought about what I’m going to do in the future yet, but I’m going to take a break.

“I’m the kind of guy who can’t sit down, I always have to be doing something.”

Despite the on-going economic downturn, the father-of-two said that his business hasn’t been affected.

He said: “You’re always waiting for it to hit, but it has never happened.

“I haven’t seen any difference whatsoever. I actually think it will help the smaller shops.”

The ex-Hamilton Grammar pupil said he had “a lot of good memories“ of the shop and that he is sad to be leaving.

He said: “I hope people will continue to come to the shop long after I’ve left, as it’s an important part of the community.

“I had a lot of faithful customers who’ve come in over the years.

“Some of them were kids who I’ve watched grow up and get married.

“I came into this shop when I was a kid. There’s no doubt I’m going to miss it.”