“For generations this iconic family business has been part of the fabric of our town”
A Ballymena institution is preparing to serve up its final scoops this weekend.
McGroggan’s on William Street is one of the Co Antrim town’s most popular family-run businesses – with their vanilla ice-cream with special raspberry sauce having been a family favourite in many a local home.
Last weekend, the 103-year-old ice cream shop announced that it would be shutting its doors on Saturday, May 30 and thanked the town for its custom for over a century.
Founded by Hugh and Annie McGroggan in 1922, their traditional homemade ice cream has won countless awards in its long history in Ballymena town centre.
Taking to social media, the McGroggan family said: “After a remarkable 103-year journey, it is with a heavy heart that we announce McGroggan’s will be closing its doors on May 30th, 2026.
“Our family is immensely grateful for the incredible community that has supported us.
“Thank you to all of our wonderful customers for your loyalty, memories, and support throughout the years”.
After news broke of the closure, many locals have made they journey to William Street to have a final cone that McGroggans ran out of ice cream.
Announcing a preorder system, they said: “Folks it has been so busy since we announced our closure we are running out of Ice cream,
“We’re making more as fast as we can, but we can’t quite keep up with your amazing demand. Thanks for keeping us so busy!”
North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows said he was “saddened” to hear the news of McGroggan’s closure.
He said: “For generations this iconic family business has been part of the fabric of our town creating memories for local families, visitors and children enjoying what many would call ‘the best ice cream in the country.’ “Its closure is not just the loss of a shop. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and our communities, yet too many are under relentless pressure from rising costs, online competition, rates burdens and declining footfall.”
“Our high streets matter. They are about more than commerce -they are about community, identity and pride of place,” he continued. “Thank you to everyone at McGroggan’s for the memories, the service and the contribution you made to Ballymena over so many years.”
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