Full Steam Ahead For Passage West Creates
Passage West Creates, the new pop-up shop in Passage West, has had a very special start to life in the last few weeks in what is an inspirational story of community spirit over the festive season.
Creative Lower Harbour makers have come together for the festive season and beyond with their unique pop-up shop in 3 Main Street, Passage West. Formally launched on Sunday evening by Cllr Joe Harris deputising for the Mayor of County Cork, this is ‘Passage West Creates’ first ever Christmas. It is open every Thursday to Sunday in December from 10am to 6pm and will be open all through Christmas Week for last minute shoppers.
This group of nine designers and makers are thrilled with the sales and the support given by the local Passage West community. Artist Corrine Leyland noted, “Some of our local craft makers have actually sold out of stock, with new craft and designs on our shelves each week”. Local representative Cllr Marcia D’Alton noted “Speaking of shelves! We are indebted to Passage West residents Aiden O’Leary from Celtic Interiors and Marc Linehan who willingly gave of their expertise and time free of charge to develop bespoke display spaces in the shop. In fact, at every step of the shop’s development we have been blown away by the goodwill shown to this social enterprise and to the concept of promoting Passage West as a shopping destination”.
This ‘Can Do’ community spirit is also reflected in the number of premises this group were offered from which to operate their pop-up gift shop.
The group of designers, makers, craftspersons and artists settled on the 3 Main Street unit rent-free from owner, John Daly, an entirely appropriate choice; for many years John produced handcrafted stained glass out of this shop premises.
This retail collective are humbled and delighted with the support also given by local businesses and residents to the new pop-up gift shop. “Everyone in the town has been so good to us, our neighbours on the street have been great and it is heartening to see local residents and visitors choosing to purchase handmade unique gifts for Christmas”, said Linda O’Callaghan.
‘Passage West Creates’ was supported by the Ballincollig-Carrigaline Municipal District Office of Cork County Council and the Local Enterprise Office, South Cork. The pop-up gift shop sells a wide selection of locally-produced craft including jewellery, candles, personalised gift frames, paper folding decorations, knitted characters, mixed media pieces, greeting cards, notebooks, wood crafted pieces, slate and artisan food gifts.
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