This article is from page 29 of the 2007-12-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 29 JPG
THE people of Ennistymon and north Clare are being asked to support local businesses by spending their money in the locality this Christmas.
Three shops — Crosbies, Noinin and Aficionado — all located in En- nistymon Square, have come together to launch a campaign for local shop- ping this festive season.
“The whole point is to try to get people to shop locally. We feel that if people do shop locally, then the businesses in the community do give back to the local community. For example, we always sponsor the schools all over north Clare. It’s nice, we support the local community and the local community supports us,” said Suzanne Crosbie, of Crosbies.
“Even in a strictly economics way, all three shops spend locally as well, so that keeps the money local.
“We are three small independent shops and feel we provide a good service for the community. Because
we are small, we have to be creative when we advertise and how we man- age our resources. SO we sat down earlier in the year and decided that we might have something to gain by banding together.”
Aficionado is a mothers, babies and gift boutique which provides mater- nity wear, children’s clothes up to the age six years and a collection of nursery accessories. Proprietors Patricia and Jonathon are eco-con- scious, with particular emphasis on environmentally friendly and organ- ic products.
Noinin fashion boutique stocks funky wear to formal wear. Owner Deirdre works hard at seeking out the best of labels ranging from Sand- wich, Full Circle, Just B and Sfizzio, to name but a few.
Crosbies are already busy with Christmas stock, such is the demand for their unusual collection of Christ- mas decorations. They are introduc- ing more home accessories to their merchandise mix this year, including
a new line of cotton rugs. “There is so much competition out there now, with big stores and the internet and we cannot compete with them in terms of scale. But we provide a good service and a good after-sales service that you might not get in a big store,” added Suzanne.
“We are all looking to provide a good quality product that is a bit different from what you might get in the larger shops.”
This Thursday, December 6, a raffle for a gift voucher worth €500, re- deemable in either Crosbies, Noinin or Aficionado, will take place.