Cost of living forces stylish Laois shop to shut
Run by Laois people, the shop sold almost all Irish and Laois made gifts
Inflation is forcing Anthology on in Market Square in Abbeyleix, with its eye-catching yellow shopfront that is being used as an model for a new shopfront grant in the heritage town, funded by local tech billionaire John Collison of Abbeyleix House, to shut down.
Run by partners Alison McEvoy, a local artist, and archaeologist and crafter Richard Reid, it opened five and a half years ago as a pop-up shop during Covid-19 pandemic.
They offered what’s described as a curated selection of Irish art and design encompassing art, design, ceramics, books, with a big emphasis on local art and craft makers.
Richard told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that closing was “a very tough decision to make”.
“We didn’t want to leave people in a situation where money was owed, so we decided to close before things got too bad. Abbeyleix is a beautiful town, we live locally, but it doesn’t have the population to sustain our shop. With the price of fuel and of everything, people have less disposable income.
“Our stock was 99% Irish, and I think three quarters were made by people from Laois or neighbouring counties. A lot were works on a sale by return basis, so we had no big outlay and therefore weren’t taking as big a cut as bigger stores.
“We don’t regret it for one second. It was an opportunity to showcase our work as well. Alison paints watercolours and makes greeting cards and I make lighting and do woodturning, with my other venture Pigswood Workshop.
“The amount of people who came in that lived within 10 or 15 miles, that we didn’t know made stuff, and would offer it quite shyly, it was amazing to see the talented people out there. They just needed an outlet.
“I hope somebody else takes over the unit and takes a punt. Ultimately, business is always a risk. They say three-quarters of restaurants close in a year, so we got five years out of our shop, we didn’t do too badly. It’s the hardest thing to do, to know when to step back,” he said.
Customers are sorry to see the pretty yellow shop close. MORE BELOW PHOTO.
“Sorry to hear this news, absolutely gorgeous shop. Best of luck with your next chapter,” one said.
“So sorry to hear this Ali. Your closing will leave a huge gap in the delightful offering of our fabulous town,” another said.
The shop announced it will close down on Saturday, August 29.
“The time has come to close the chapter on Anthology. We would like to thank all of our amazing, loyal customers over the past five years and the pop up shop where it all began.
“To our fantastic suppliers, thank you all so much for stocking your products with Anthology. We have loved being part of your story and selling them to our wonderful customers,” the said on social media .
Vouchers can be spent on www.anthology.ie before August 15. After that people are asked to come into the shop to redeem your voucher against goods by August 29. After closure they will be unredeemable.