A popular kids' clothing store Ballyfermot store is set to close down at the end of this month after over 20 years in business.
Topstore, which is located in Ballyfermot, is a baby and children's clothing store, selling christening outfits, uniforms, and more. The store first opened almost 30 years ago before it was taken over in 2004 by current owner Jackie Wallace and her family, who led the business for over 19 years.
Last week, Jackie announced the sad news on Facebook that the shop will be closing down at the end of March. Topstore is also having a massive closing down sale for the final few weeks before they close down. Dublin Live popped into the shop to chat to the owners and customers ahead of its sad closure.
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Speaking to Dublin Live, owner Jackie Wallace explained that she's worked in the shop for 27 years. When asked about why they're closing, she said: "Just not enough people coming in to sustain it, all the overheads, rates and rents and electricity.
"We had to close down during the Covid-19 pandemic, big shops were selling clothes and we weren't allowed to open. It did have an effect because a lot of people went shopping online, a lot of people just got used to shopping online."
Topstore is well-known for its stunning christening outfits for babies, children's school uniforms and more. Many of their products are made in Europe, as well as their school uniforms which are made in Ireland.
Jackie explained: "We tried to get as much as we could made in Ireland. It's all changing now."
When asked about what her plans are for the future, Jackie replied that this will be her first summer in 27 years that she is off for the summer. She said: "I don't actually know what I'll do next, I'll take my first summer off in 27 years because with the schoolwear we were never off in the summer."
Jackie added that they will really miss their loyal customers that they have built up over the years.
Other customers in Topstore said that they shop and Jackie and her staff will be "much missed." Long-time customer Annie told Dublin Live: "I'm shopping here as long as they're opened, [shopping] for grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
"They've got beautiful style, I'll miss the yap and the bargains."
Jackie has said the bills, rent and heating that have contributed to the closure of the beloved shop. "It's a combination of everything, if it was just one thing you might be able to survive but we just can't keep going," she said.
Jackie said that they may have been able to keep going if they'd gotten financial support from the government, but that there's been no help. She said: "I'm here 27 years and I'm finishing up with nothing. I'm still paying the mortgage I took out to buy over the place.
"We have had rent reductions they've been quite good with that, but it's just a combination of things," added Jackie.
Topstore will close its doors at the end of March and it is currently having a huge sale on all of its products.
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