Little Folk, a beloved family-owned shop closes its doors after 50 years
Little Folk, a family-owned shop that specialised in communion dresses and christening outfits, has closed its doors after 50 years of serving the community in Dublin 8. The shop, located on Meath Street in The Liberties, announced its closure on Facebook last week, thanking its loyal customers for their support over the years.
“It is with great sadness that we announce that Little Folk will be closing down. We would like to thank all our customers for their custom over the past 50 years. It has been a pleasure to serve you and your families. We have made many friends along the way and we will miss you all dearly. Thanks for the memories,” the post read.
The shop was founded by Mary O’Connor and her late husband John in 1973. They started out selling children’s clothes and toys before expanding into communion and christening wear. The shop became a popular destination for families looking for quality outfits and accessories for their children’s special occasions.
Mary’s daughter Anne-Marie O’Connor, who took over the running of the shop with her sister Mary-Jane after their father passed away in 2010, said that the decision to close was not easy but necessary due to changing times. It was becoming harder to compete and keep up with the demand. We also felt that it was time for us to move on and enjoy our retirement,” she said.
Anne-Marie said that she was overwhelmed by the messages of support and gratitude from customers who shared their memories of visiting Little Folk.
“We have had so many lovely comments from people who told us how much they appreciated our service and how we made their children feel special on their big day. Some of them even sent us photos of their kids wearing our dresses or suits. It was very touching to see how much we meant to them,” she said.
She added that she was proud of her parents’ legacy and hoped that Little Folk would be remembered as a part of Dublin’s history.
“My parents started this business from scratch and worked very hard to make it successful. They loved this area and this community. They were always friendly and helpful to everyone who came through our door. They gave us a great example of how to run a business with honesty and integrity. I hope that people will remember Little Folk as a place where they found quality product at reasonable prices, where they were treated with respect and kindness, where they felt welcome and happy.”
