A trio of Newcastle shop owners have spoken to Belfast Live about what it's like to run local and family businesses in the town for decades.
The seaside Co Down town is known for its sweeping sea and mountain views and its idyllic promenade.
Nestled in the foothold of the Mourne Mountains are local businesses that have become part of the town's furniture.
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Kate and Kelly Armstrong are the family duo behind The Joke and Toy Shop, Kelly coming in to take over following her father Des' ill health.
Full of life and passion for her business, Kate told Belfast Live that come Good Friday, they will have been operating in the town for nearly 30 years.
"You come across so many different people and adults come in and they say 'I used to come in here when I was a child and now I'm bringing my children here'," she said.
"It's wonderful, it really is.
"And they say 'how long are yous here now?' and as soon as I say 28 years, they say 'I remember it well'.
"And I say nothing has changed except the colour of the hair.".
Kate also said they were well placed to bring in customers keen to see what the latest prank and joke items are, or to find the latest fancy-dress options.
"This town definitely needed a joke shop," she added.
"Somebody actually passed one day a few years after we opened and said 'there's somebody who's got their heads screwed on, a joke shop in between two arcades'.
"The kids all go out to them arcades and it's us next, maybe Coco's next or something like that - they all know the joke shop.
"People come from Portadown, Banbridge, even up from Dublin and they all know the joke shop."
Her daughter Kelly has since taken on the running of the business, with Kate still popping in now and then.
Sadly, Des's health has declined in recent years, but he remains very much in the fabric of the business and the family have very fond memories of his joking in the shop.
"It means a lot you know," said Kelly.
"Mum and Dad have put a lot of work and a lot of years into this business so it means a lot to carry it on."
Elsewhere on the promenade, for those of the sweet-toothed persuasion there is local institution The Bon-Bon.
A mainstay in Newcastle for over 70 years, it is now in the hands of the third generation, a tribute to its remarkable staying power.
The pick'n'mix and bright coloured wrappers of the sweets remain as big a lure as ever.
Fiona Dagidir runs the shop with her brother and said it is great to be involved with a business that has such a rich family history.
"The shop's been here since 1951, my grandmother opened it then back in the day," she said.
"She gave it to my mother and father, now unfortunately they've gone, so me and my brother are running it.
"It's a tradition for people coming into the town, they've been here when they were young when they were kids, now they're bringing their grandkids in and buying the same stuff - it's good to see."
Keeping Fiona on her toes is Sheila McGrady, who has spent the last 31 years working in the sweet shop.
"People just know if they don't get it in The Bon-Bon, they'll not get it anywhere," she laughed.
"It's just part and parcel of this town.
"My mother brought us in here when we were kids, now they're bringing in their children and their children's children, that's how long we've been here."
The town of course houses the very popular Slieve Donard hotel and nestled in its shadow is Thumbelina.
A ballet dancer with flowers at her feet signals the way into the toy shop, where Audrey Byrne has been behind the counter for nearly 20 years.
She said the beautiful little shop, housing dolls, teddies, wooden toys, puzzles, dinosaurs and more was inspired by her own childhood memories.
"I remember as a child shopping in Belfast in Robb's and Sinclair's many, many years ago going to see Santa with my mum and dad," she said.
"It must have been in the back of my head somewhere.
"I wanted to have a shop that was a wee bit different, that I could talk and meet people and recommend toys to people and that's exactly what I've done."
She said it was the daily meeting and greeting of people, finding out their story and finding the toy that matched their needs that kept her happy in her work.
"I'm here 18 years so I must be doing something right," she added.
"I love the interaction with people. In Newcastle, we have loads of tourists, but right through the seasons, we've people staying in hotels, coming from far and wide.
"So it's nice to meet, chat, recommend and they actually send people back to me so it's all good."
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