Norman G. and Elsie Bell came to Ballywalter from west Ulster in 1950 and bought an existing grocery and hardware business situated at 58 Main Street. The couple were successful in business and expanded into the adjoining property, which came on the market, south of number 58. Storage at the square and on the Dunover Road was later acquired. On the untimely death of Norman G Bell in 1973, his son Graham took over the running of the business at the early age of 19. The business continued to prosper and a private limited company was launched in 1979, with the name N.G. Bell & Son LTD. as a reminder and tribute to the head of the old family firm, and with Graham as the principal director. The grocery end of the enterprise was faded out in the early 1970's and the business successfully concentrated on timber and builder supplies. Turnover continued to increase resulting in the business outgrowing its existing premises at Main Street. A green field site was acquired and developed at 30 Greyabbey Road to which the business was transferred in March 2002. A huge storage shed facility was build to accommodate all manner of building supplies, while the office and shop was first housed in portacabins during the early days of the Greyabbey Road project. This led to the construction of an 18,000 square foot building in April 2004 to house the offices and retail elements of the business taking almost 20 whole months to complete. The new shop was opened to the public on January 4th 2006, with Graham's son Norman working tirelessly on making sure the layout and merchandising of the new store is just right.