Noreen has been a fashion afficionado for 33 years
IN 1983 Nóirín completed her r L eaving Cer t ’ and sec ured a place in UCC … but “retail called” and on October 31 of the same year she opened her firstt shop in Boherbue.
Now, 33 years on, she has one of the best known boutique’s in Duhallow.
Back in 1983, there were a few shops in the area closing down at the time, their owners retiring, and Nóirín felt there was an opening for a clothes shop. After researching the clothing business, with her parents’ support she opened a clothes shop in the front two rooms of their house. Both Nóirín’s parents were self-employed, her father in the printing while her mother had previously run a small grocer shop and B&B.
“It was a great little shop catering for ladies wear, children’s wear, hat hire and accessories. Boherbue is very central In Duhallow so I had a great customer base,” says Nóirín.
In 1999, a retail premises came up for sale in Millstreet. “By then I was married and living in Millstreet, so I bit the bullet and moved my shop to Millstreet,” she says.
It was a much bigger premises, allowing her to expand her collections, and she also had a bigger population to expand her customer base.
“I am still trading at that premises today and have celebrated 33 years in business. Customers travel from all over Cork, Kerry and Limerick. Every season I change our collections, offering on trend styles at a medium price bracket,” says Nóirín.
She travels to Dublin and London to view collections but she is also very conscious of working with Irish companies and about 40% of her stock is Irish designed. “I’m very fussy about the collections and demand very high quality garments from our suppliers, while still keeping our prices competitive. That’s the key to our success.”
Her collections include dressy and casual wear, and accessories for ladies, and the children’s department specialises in babywear 0-2 years.
“I have one lady, Mary, employed full-time and together we offer our customers a warm welcome and personal attention.”
With the introduction of Facebook, Nóirín has found a valuable form of advertising to encourage new customers and younger customers to the shop.
“Our main goal has been and will remain to be a business that offers great quality clothing at competitive prices with a personal touch. I would hope this remains with us as we develop and grow with the times,” she says.
However, as online business is growing rapidly Nóirín is aiming to develop a presence, and sales, online. She also aims to use the internet more in regards to advertising and marketing.
“Our customers range from 30 – 90. In many instances, it is a family affair with mothers, daughters and grandmothers shopping together.
Our customers leave our shop happy. This is a great outcome for the business and a reflection of the work of Mary and I, and we are very proud of this.”