Charming and unique Laois store in Portlaoise wins big award

The independent Laois business Nook & Cranny Gift Store in Portlaoise was honoured with a national award when it was named National Lifestyle Store of The Year 2023 at the AIBMS Retail Excellence Ireland Awards.

The awards ceremony is the biggest event of the year in the Irish Retail calendar and was hosted in the Galmont Hotel in Galway. It was attended by almost 600 retail industry executives and is widely seen as the event which celebrates the very best in Irish retail, where outstanding achievements in the retail sector are recognised.

Retail Excellence Ireland stated that as Lifestyle Store of the Year, Nook & Cranny “exemplifies excellence in bringing style, comfort, and uniqueness to every aspect of life.”

The judging panel described Nook & Cranny as an “acclaimed and inviting” lifestyle store renowned for its “charming and refreshingly unique selection of gift items” on Portlaoise's Main Street.

 “Visiting Nook and Cranny is a heartwarming experience, with its warm and welcoming atmosphere.…making it a truly unique and memorable shopping destination,” said the judges

Ladonna McCartan spoke at the ceremony.

“Initially, we were absolutely honoured to be listed as a Top 30 stores in Ireland and thereby invited these glitzy awards. It meant that our store is included alongside so many other great stores around the country. But then, to have Nook and Cranny named as the National Lifestyle Store of The Year category 2023 – sure, we’re on top of the world to bring that one back to Portlaoise with us,” she said 

She explained what the win means.

 “This is a wonderful award for our business which has been looking after customers on Portlaoise Main Street and  beyond for over eight years now. The award is a direct reflection of our team and their absolute dedication to Nook and Cranny. It recognises our customers that return time and again because they love to find a gift that’s a little ‘out of the ordinary’. These wonderful customers also value their community & having their main street filled with an array of independent stores in our gorgeous town,” she said.

The celebrations have continued in-store for the entire month of November, where customers have been invited to enjoy a glass of chilled bubbly as well as enter into a draw to win a beautiful tray framed piece of art entitled ‘Colour’ by Irish Artist Rita Oates.  MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: Ladonna & Mark Healy at REI 2023 Awards

Ladonna says there is much fulfilment from being a standalone business.

“Being an independent retailer has brought so much ‘colour’ to our lives through joy, purpose, laughter and many of lifes moments that we share with the people we meet every single day. I’m talking about our customers, supply partners, colleagues in business, local courier, local electrician, local painter, local sign company, local plumber. It’s because of this supportive tribe, that we feel so extremely privileged to be able to come to work each day to do what we love and to hopefully in turn share even more ‘colour’ in the process.  

“As always, the paint strokes of this particular artist's wonderful piece are the perfect reflection of how we view the people who share our path.  We hope the lucky winner of this gift from us all at Nook and Cranny Gift Store enjoys the piece and its warm sentiment as much as we do,” she said. 

The winner will be announced in store and online at 7 pm on Thursday, November 30.