FAREWELL AS SHAW’S TO CLOSE
A PROMINENT jewellers shop in the heart of Sligo town is set to close. Shaw’s Jewellers will close its doors for the final time on June 30 after 35 years in business.
The shop was founded by Riverstown native Albert Shaw, who passed last August, and his wife Rene.
Speaking to the Sligo Weekender at the time of Albert’s death, another O’Connell Street jeweller, Tom Wehrly of Wehrly Bros, recalled his many years in business.
He said: “I always found him to be a thorough gentleman, a very honest person and a great colleague here on the street. The longevity of his business here is a tribute to both him and his family for their hard work over the years.” In recent times, the day-to-day operations of Shaw’s Jewellery was handled by Rene and their son Alan.
Speaking to the Sligo Weekender this week, Alan said that their closure has not been dictated by economic reasons and instead have taken the opportunity to close on their own terms.
“It has been a tough decision. The main driver has been the passing of Albert last August and it was just down to myself and my mother looking after the place. She is at retiring age now and I also felt this was the right time to explore a new career.”
“There was no economic reasons behind it, it was purely personal. The last thing we wanted was to run the place down, we wanted to finish up on a good note rather than let it dwindle. We have had a lot of good wishes in the shop and online, it is a testament to what we achieved here.”
Alan has been involved with the shop for more than 20 years, during which time they were located in their current premises on O’Connell Street.
Alan recalls his parents’ humble beginnings in building the business into the local institution it became.
“Dad worked in Nelson’s from the age of 12. He went in on his summer holidays and never really left for a long time. Nelson’s would have fixed clocks, jewellery and a bit of everything. When they closed he decided to set up his own shop, built it up from there and worked very hard to get it where it has been over the years.”
“My parents opened down the arches in 1986 in behind John Kent. They spent six years there, built up a good customer base and the opportunity came to move up here in 1992. We just continued to build a good, loyal customer base that has kept coming to us over the years. “I want to take this opportunity to thank all of those people for their support and their friendship.”
Shaw’s Jewellers is currently having a closing down sale and will close their doors for the last time on Wednesday, June 30.