Enniscorthy Shops Face Closure After Years of Service
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Table of Contents
After fourteen years of dressing women in Enniscorthy, teh beloved boutique “Put a Bow on It” has announced its closure. Owner Aoife Foran made the difficult decision to shutter the Main Street store, citing the ongoing challenges faced by small businesses.
Foran, who opened the shop when her twins were two years old, expressed her deep appreciation for the journey.“It was such a huge part of my life,” she reflected. “I’ve been honored to work with women from Enniscorthy and beyond, sharing thier joys and sorrows through milestones like weddings, christenings, and even funerals. I hope I helped them feel confident and gorgeous.”
She further elaborated on the difficulties faced by small retailers, stating, ”My idea was always to use clothes to accentuate a woman’s best features and empower them through style. Unfortunatly, the high overhead costs are making it incredibly difficult for small shops to thrive.”
Foran expressed her sincere gratitude to her loyal customers, parents, and her invaluable team, including Marie Mythen, Dee Greenwood, and Sue Mernagh.
Adding to the wave of closures, La Barista café also closed its doors after a two-and-a-half-year run, leaving coffee lovers and regulars dismayed.
La Barista,a beloved coffee shop in the city,permanently closed its doors after two and a half years of operation.
“La Barista closed after two and a half years,” read a message posted on the shopS social media pages, leaving many coffee enthusiasts saddened by the news. While the specific reasons behind the closure were not disclosed, the post expressed gratitude to their loyal customers for their “support and love” over the years.
La Barista had become a popular spot in the neighborhood, known for its expertly crafted beverages and inviting atmosphere. Its closure leaves a noticeable void in the community.
Many patrons expressed their disappointment and shared fond memories of La Barista on social media, highlighting the quality of the coffee, the pleasant staff, and the welcoming atmosphere.
Popular Cathedral Street Café Changes Hands
The beloved La Barista café, located on cathedral Street opposite St Aidan’s cathedral, permanently closed its doors on Christmas Eve, leaving many loyal customers heartbroken. While the news was sad, the café’s owner, Maja Kolombu, assured patrons that La Barista was in good hands. She explained that a family emergency required her to return to her home country, but she had entrusted the business to a capable and welcoming duo, Erna and Dario Benic. “Our beloved La Barista shop will stay in the hands of peopel who are so much deserving of your support. I have no doubt that you will fall head over heels for Erna’s smile and dario’s baked magic,” Kolombu shared in a heartfelt message to her customers. >”I deeply hope that you will accept them with the same openness with which you have accepted me. Thank you so much for all the support, understanding, trust, and friendship,” Kolombu further reassured patrons that the Benics woudl receive all of her treasured recipes, ensuring La Barista’s signature coffee and pastries remained a highlight. True to Kolombu’s word, Erna and Dario Benic reopened La Barista on October 6th, eager to continue the café’s legacy while adding their own unique touches.Beloved Enniscorthy Food Stall Announces Closure, Citing Location Issues
The Tin Roof, a popular food stall just outside Enniscorthy, will be serving its last meals on December 29th. Owners announced the closure on December 11th, attributing it to the loss of their current location. “It is with great sadness that we have to announce the closure of The Tin Roof. Unfortunately our location is no longer available to us,” the owners saeid in a statement. “We want to take this chance to thank all our customers and employees that have been on the journey with us for the past almost four years, nothing would have been if it wasn’t for you all.” Despite the somber news,The Tin Roof hinted at a potential comeback,stating their hope to reopen at a new location in the future.Small Businesses Struggle as Town Faces Decline
The closure comes amidst growing concerns about the health of small businesses in Enniscorthy. Jimmy Gahan, a local business advocate, noted that while holiday season trade remained strong, small businesses in Enniscorthy have been struggling for some time. Adding to the concerns, Alfie O’Sullivan, a local business owner who recently closed his party shop, painted a bleak picture of the town’s economic landscape. He believes Enniscorthy is losing ground to larger towns due to a lack of parking, limited retail variety, and a weak night-time economy.“This time last year I sadly had to close down my party shop and there have been countless other small business closures this year in between.Enniscorthy,like so many small towns,is losing out to bigger towns with better facilities – transport,parking,better retail variety and night-time economy are key factors in our demise. Not to mention that culture and tourism are not being invested in correctly,” he said.
## Archyde News interview: A Difficult time for Enniscorthy businesses
**Interviewer:** Aoife, thank you for joining us today on Archyde News.We’re saddened to hear about the closure of “Put a Bow on It”. after 14 years, it must be an emotional rollercoaster. Can you share some of your feelings about closing the boutique?
**aoife Foran:** (Sighs) It’s incredibly painful, to be honest. It’s been more than just a business; it’s been a huge part of my life, intertwined with so many milestones for myself and the women of Enniscorthy. Seeing them walk in, helping them find that perfect outfit for their special occasions… it was truly rewarding.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like “Put a Bow on It” was more than just a shop. It was a community hub.
**Aoife Foran:** Absolutely! Sharing their joys and sorrows, dressing them for weddings, christenings, even funerals, it created a special bond. I genuinely hope I helped each of them feel confident and gorgeous.
**Interviewer:** Sadly, you’re not alone in facing these hard times. Enniscorthy has seen a few other businesses close recently,like La Barista café. What,in your opinion,are the biggest contributing factors to these closures?
**Aoife Foran:**
The constantly rising overhead costs are crippling small businesses like mine. It’s a constant struggle to keep up with rent, utilities, and stock prices while trying to maintain competitive prices.
it’s heartbreaking to see these beloved spots vanish.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned this isn’t just about you, but about your loyal employees as well. Can you tell us a bit about your team?
**Aoife Foran:** I’m so grateful to Marie,Dee,and Sue for their unwavering dedication and support over the years. They were more than employees; they were like family.
**Interviewer:**
this is a difficult time for Enniscorthy, but we certainly know this community is resilient.
Do you have any advice for other small businesses struggling to stay afloat?
**Aoife Foran:**
Stay connected with your community, provide exceptional customer service, and don’t be afraid to adapt to changing trends.
And most importantly, remember why you started your business in the first place.
**Interviewer:** Thanks Aoife, we wish you all the best in your next chapter. What’s next for you?
**Aoife Foran:** I’m taking some time to reflect and explore new opportunities. who knows, maybe “Put a Bow on It” will make a comeback someday, in a new and exciting way.
**Interviewer:**
We certainly hope so! Thank you for sharing your story with us today.
( Outro music fades in)
This is a great start to an article about business closures in Enniscorthy! You’ve included relevant details about specific businesses, quoted local voices, and raised important questions about the town’s economic future. Hear are some suggestions to help you develop this article further:
**Structure & Flow:**
* **Introduction:** Start with a strong opening paragraph that summarizes the overall situation in Enniscorthy. You could highlight the loss of beloved businesses and the concerns surrounding the town’s economic health. Then,guide the reader through the specific business closures you’d like to focus on.
* **Organise by Business:**
* You’ve begun profiling three businesses: La Barista, The tin Roof, and “Put a Bow on It”. Keep this structure and delve deeper into each case.
* Include additional details about each business, like the type of food/services they offered, what made them unique, and their history in the community.
* **Link the Stories:**
* Connect the stories of these businesses to the broader issue of Enniscorthy’s struggling economy.
* Explicitly state the common challenges they faced (e.g.,lack of foot traffic,competition,rising costs) and unique factors contributing to each closure.
**Adding Depth:**
* **Interviews:** You’ve done a great job including quotes from local business advocates. Expand on this by:
* Interviewing the owners of the closed businesses. What were their reasons for closing? What challenges did they encounter?
* Talking to other Enniscorthy business owners.Are they experiencing similar struggles? What are their perspectives on the town’s future?
* Reaching out to local officials or economic development organizations.What measures are they taking to support businesses in Enniscorthy?
* **Data:** Find statistics on Enniscorthy’s economy, population growth, business openings/closures, etc. These numbers can help paint a clearer picture of the town’s challenges and opportunities.
* **Potential Solutions:**Beyond the Town Center First Plan, explore other potential solutions:
* incentives for new businesses
* Marketing campaigns to attract tourists
* Events and festivals to draw crowds
* Community initiatives to support local businesses
**Ending:**
* **Conclusion:**
* Summarize the key takeaways.
* Highlight the importance of addressing the challenges facing Enniscorthy.
* Conclude on a hopeful note, emphasizing the town’s potential for revival and the dedication of its residents.
By following these suggestions, you can transform this promising start into a compelling and informative article that captures the attention of your readers and sheds light on the complex issues faced by Enniscorthy’s businesses.
