Tralee Craft Makers shop set for closure
THE well-known Craft Makers shop on Ashe Street in Tralee is to close by the end of the month with the loss of four jobs.
The centre – which was opened with the aid of the Henggeler family who own Tralee’s Rose Hotel – sold items made by crafts people across Kerry and was set up in a bid to bolster the local craft industry.
Craft Makers also regularly hosted workshops and exhibitions by craft makers and artists in the county.
It had also played a key role in various cultural celebrations in the town.
On Monday – citing poor trade levels – Craft Makers Manager Deirdre Enright announced that the centre would cease trading on June 24.
While the shop is to close, its backers hope to run a pop-up store in the run up to Christmas as well as workshops and similar events around the county in the future.
“We have loved offering a retail space that supports work that is of Kerry and we have loved being a part of the Tralee landscape,” she said.
“Sadly, trade levels currently are not sufficient for us to maintain a permanent presence in the town. We do hope to have a pop-up shop at Christmas time and we hope also to run occasional craft workshops and events around the County,” said Deirdre.
“We want to thank our wonderful customers for their support to date as well as our suppliers, without whom we would not have had such a lovely gift offering,” Ms Enright said.
“To Eileen, Felicia and Karyn, thank you for your hard work and good cheer and to our patrons, the very wonderful Eibhlín and Dick Henggeler, without your kindness none of it would be possible,” she added.