Irish Specialty Shop Has Deep Roots in Oak Lawn

In just a few days, Americans will join the international community in celebrating one of the world’s most public festivals, St. Patrick’s Day.  On March 17, people who are not Irish pretend they are while those who actually are Irish give thanks and celebrate their country.  And where can you go for all of your “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” needs?  Right down 95th Street to , a specialty gift shop with a 35-year history in Oak Lawn. Located a few blocks west of Ridgeland Ave. at 6761 W. 95th St., A Touch of Ireland offers a wide assortment of Irish goods and gifts, many of which are imported from Ireland. Walk into the store on any given day and you will most likely find Annie Cremins standing behind the counter waiting to greet you with a smile and her charming Irish brogue.  Cremins is the store’s long-time manager and has worked there for 25 years.       

Oak Lawn Patch: If you could describe the store in just a few words, what would you say about it?

Annie Cremins: A Touch of Ireland is a friendly place to shop that sells all Irish items. We have unique gifts such as china and hand-knit sweaters, most of which are imported from Ireland. We sell everything from Irish dance shoes to baby clothes and we also have a large selection of Waterford Crystals.   

Oak Lawn Patch: Could you give a brief history of the store?

Cremins:  The store is owned by John and Mary Raftery and they have been in business for 35 years, though not all those years were spent at this location. About ten years ago, we moved from what used to be a Holiday Inn on 95th and Pulaski where the Target is now. There was a big demand for Irish stuff since Oak Lawn has a fairly large Irish community so John and Mary decided to open the store.

Oak Lawn Patch:  How long have you been working at A Touch of Ireland?

Cremins:  I have been here for 25 years. 

Oak Lawn Patch:  What is the most popular item that customers buy?

Cremins:  Jewelry is very popular. The Claddagh Ring is the most well-known and we do very well with it.  Waterford crystals are also very popular as well as wedding banns. 

Oak Lawn Patch:  The economic crisis has taken a toll on the retail industry as a whole.  As a specialty store, how has it affected your business?

Cremins:  The economic crisis definitely has hurt and I suppose there has been more of a change in what is bought rather than in how many sales we make, but we are still satisfied in how the store is doing. People that were spending a couple hundred dollars an item are now spending fifty dollars. Instead of buying gold Claddagh rings, people buy ones made from sterling silver.

Oak Lawn Patch:  The month of March is obviously a busy time for the store, but how are sales throughout the rest of the year?

Cremins:  Sales stabilize throughout the rest of the year, but there is always an opportunity to buy gifts.  People shop here for Mother’s Day, communions, baby showers, wedding showers, and wedding gifts.  And then people begin shopping during November for Christmas presents.  Sometimes we will get people who buy things for themselves but for the most part people come in to buy things for other people.

Oak Lawn Patch:  What retail niche do you feel your store fills? 

Cremins:  The fact that it is an only Irish store has definitely helped.  I don’t want to misspeak, but I think we are the lone “only Irish” store in Oak Lawn.  I definitely feel that because it is a local store people are more attracted to it. 

Oak Lawn Patch: As a small business, what do you do to advertise the store?

Cremins:  We do very little advertising because we are in a good location; 95th St. basically sells itself.  Word of mouth is also very important, especially for a small business.  We do very little advertising because who want the kind of merchandise we sell will find us.  And again, location is important.

Oak Lawn Patch:  In this tough economic climate, or at any time for that matter, what do you feel it takes to start a business and make it successful?

Cremins:  Knowing your business and knowing what your customers want is important.  The fact that we are located in a pretty Irish-American area has really helped get the business off of the ground. Providing good customer service is definitely something that you have to be aware of.  Even if the customer does not buy anything, he or she might come back if they were given good service.  Greeting the customer as soon as he or she walks through the door is important. 

Oak Lawn Patch:  What is your favorite part about managing a business?

Cremins:  My favorite part, and I tell this to customers sometimes, is that it’s like socializing without having to clean my house.  The people that come in here are mostly Irish-American so they love to hear the Irish brogue and they love to talk about Ireland, so I guess that’s my favorite part.

Oak Lawn Patch:  Would about the store gives you the most pride?

Cremins:  I am most proud of it because it has been a very successful business and it’s a store that brings people back.  We get a lot of return customers.

Oak Lawn Patch:  Discussing Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day would not be complete without a few Irish sayings—what is your favorite Irish saying or blessing?

Cremins:  My favorite blessing is “May the Lord rise to meet you, and until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of his hand.” And of course in Gaelic I like to say “Slainte” or “to your health.”

A Touch of Ireland located at 6761 W. 95th St. is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Contact the store at 708-579-9188.