End of an era for McKillen’s Ballymena as family brings century-long retail legacy to a close

McKillen’s on Church Street, Ballymena

McKillen’s, the much-loved family-run department store that has stood at the heart of Ballymena town centre for a century, has announced it will close after 100 years of trading, bringing an era to an end on Church Street.

Established by the McKillen family in 1926, the business has served generations of customers from across Ballymena and far beyond — from fitting children with their first pair of shoes to ensuring elderly customers received comfortable, supportive footwear later in life.

Announcing the closure, the McKillen family said the decision had been taken with deep regret following sustained pressures on the high street, despite efforts to reduce running costs.

“It is with deep regret that we announce the closure of our family business after 100 years,” the family said.

“We are grateful for the privilege of serving the people of Ballymena and beyond for many generations. Their support has been, and is, greatly appreciated.”

Closing down sale announced as final chapter begins

As the business prepares to cease trading, the family has confirmed that a closing down sale will begin on Wednesday, February 11, inviting customers to return to the Church Street store one last time.

The sale marks a final opportunity for the community to support a business that has been woven into daily life in Ballymena for decades.

“We commence a closing down sale on Wednesday February 11th and look forward to seeing everyone there,” the statement said.

“Anyone who has gift vouchers for our company please call and use them.”

Tribute paid to loyal staff and decades of dedication

In their statement, the McKillen family placed particular emphasis on the contribution of their staff, many of whom spent most — if not all — of their working lives with the business.

“We want to pay tribute to the dedication of our loyal staff, many who have spent their working life with us,” they said.

“They have greatly contributed to the success of the company for many years.”

That loyalty was a defining feature of McKillen’s, with long-serving employees forming lasting relationships with customers and families who returned year after year.

Rising costs and high street pressures behind closure

The family said that, despite taking steps to manage costs, the cumulative impact of rising overheads, online shopping and the wider decline of the high street had ultimately made the business unsustainable.

“Despite having taken measures to reduce running costs, the increasing overheads, online shopping and the demise of the high street have all contributed to our decision to cease trading at this point,” the statement said.

“These have and continue to be challenging days and this is a decision that has not been taken lightly.”

A business built across generations

McKillen family photographs of the store in years gone-by

The story of McKillen’s is deeply rooted in family and community. In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph in February 2020, third-generation owner Thomas McKillen reflected on the business’s beginnings under his grandfather, Thomas “Tom” McKillen.

“It was started in July, 1926… by my grandfather Thomas McKillen, who was known as Tom McKillen and was a farmer’s son,” he said.

“He didn’t like the smell of farming and he didn’t like getting his feet dirty so working on the land wasn’t an option.”

From those modest beginnings — with stock purchased in Belfast and transported home in the boot of a car — the business steadily expanded, driven by a commitment to people and personal service.

That expansion accelerated under Thomas McKillen’s father, Matthew McKillen, who joined the firm in 1954 and is widely credited with shaping it into a destination department store.

“My father Matthew McKillen was there from 1954. He was the drive and the brains behind the thing, a visionary,” Mr McKillen said.

It was Matthew McKillen who introduced innovations such as the in-store Fern Room restaurant, inspired by department stores in London, and who oversaw the move to the current Church Street premises in 1967, where the store grew to span around 24,000 square feet.

A place where generations returned

McKillen’s became known not just for its size, but for its role in family traditions — particularly when it came to children’s footwear.

“Five generations have been coming in here to get school shoes,” Mr McKillen said in 2020.

“A lot of planning will go into back-to-school… it’s something of a tradition.”

Customers travelled from well beyond Ballymena for that expertise, reinforcing the store’s reputation as a trusted, independent retailer in an increasingly challenging environment.

A farewell marked by gratitude

As the business prepares to close its doors for the final time, the McKillen family has expressed heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported the store over the past century.

“To all our staff and customers, we thank you sincerely for your support and understanding,” the statement said.

“Many thanks.

“The McKillen Family.”

For Ballymena, the closure of McKillen’s is more than the loss of a shop. It marks the end of a shared local story — one built on family, service and community — that endured for 100 years on Church Street.

A final invitation to return to McKillen’s

As McKillen’s prepares to draw its 100-year story on Church Street to a close, the family has extended a final invitation to customers to return to the store during the upcoming closing down sale.

The shop will be closed on Tuesday to allow preparations to take place and will reopen on Wednesday morning, February 11, at 9.30am. Shoppers will then be able to browse the store once more and avail of reductions across departments.

Those holding McKillen’s gift vouchers are encouraged to use them during the sale.

For many in Ballymena and beyond, the coming days will offer a last opportunity not only to support a long-standing family business, but to step back into a place filled with memories, a shop that has quietly served generations for a full century, and to say a final goodbye to a much-loved local institution.