‘Facts and Fables’ returns to Nenagh

By Anna Powell

“People like to shop local and do business with local people,” expressed the local business owner of ‘Facts and Fables’, which has spent the past 20 years trading as Eason’s on Pearse St, Nenagh.

“Some haven’t even noticed that we have changed the sign,” chuckled Noelle Morrissey, pointing out how some of her regular customers haven’t yet noticed the store's change to a new name.

“Everything within the shop is nearly the same. There probably still are some Eason’s stickers on some things. It will take a while for the stock to shift through,” she continued

“Some come in and notice, some haven’t even noticed. It’s been a soft launch for the moment, but we will do a proper launch in the coming weeks,” expressed Noelle as to how people in the community have reacted to the change.

Origins of ‘Facts and Fables’

“We started off as ‘Facts and Fables’ and then I took the franchise,” explained Noelle, highlighting how ‘Facts and Fables’ was the store's original name over 20 years ago.

“I’m very excited. It’s a great opportunity for me. It’s a great growth opportunity for the business.

“I feel like it was a good time for me to move. I thought about it for a long time,” shared Noelle, going on to explain how she has noticed how people’s shopping habits have changed and that people like to shop with local retailers and support them.

100% Independent Bookseller

“I will be a totally 100% independent bookseller and I have a choice in who I get any of my stock from that I didn’t have before,” she said, highlighting how she will still be getting certain products supplied from Eason’s, but that she will have more choice as to who supplies her business with other products.

“Some people have been supplying me for the last 20 years. Eason’s were more streamlining their stores, and I may not have been able to deal with old suppliers anymore. A lot of those suppliers have been very good to me and I want to continue with them,” she expressed.

Similarly, Noelle wanted to continue stocking schoolbooks for local primary and secondary schools, which are no longer being stocked in Eason’s stores nationwide.

“We have a huge schoolbook business from all the local primary schools around and secondary schools. We couldn’t afford to lose that business. We had to stand alone from that point of view,” she stated.