Our History
Montgomerys on Ballymoney street in Ballymena was founded in 1930 by Robert S. Montgomery and Robbie Murdock, both from the Kells area. They had both served their time as grocers in the town before they opened their own shop. It started as a grocery and farm feeding shop and a few years later, hardware was introduced. Not being able to afford a car, Robert Montgomery and Robbie Murdock rode to work from 9 miles outside the town on a tandem bicycle. On Friday and Saturday nights, after working late, they arrived home at eleven o1clock, summer and winter. Times were hard. In those days, groceries were delivered round the surrounding villages of Portglenone, Ahoghill, Cullybackey and Kells on flat back lorries.
Robert Montgomery died in 1964, followed by Robbie Murdock a short time later. Robert Montgomery's eldest son, Steven, started working in the shop in 1968. Over the past 30years, the hardware has been extended at the expense of the grocery department, which closed in 1968. A mobile shop was introduced and became, from the agricultural point of view, a very successful addition to the company.
When the Fairhill (where the ballymena livestock market was held) closed in 1990, Montgomery and Murdock opened an agricultural / d.i.y./ gardening outlet in Cullybackey livestock market. This proved to be an important asset to Montgomery and Murdock. Over the last 25 years, the Montgomery family have purchased a number of properties adjacent to the original premises. In 2004 these were pulled down, and new premises were built. Steven and June have four sons, all of whom are involved in the business. Montgomerys is now a vibrant shop which incorporates hardware, bathroom shop, cookshops and “oil and vinegar”, a coffeeshop/restaurant and an internet cafe