Kilkenny shoe shop celebrates 35 years in business and prepares for busy back-to-school rush

Graham Shoes in Kilkenny is celebrating 35 years in business and between now and when children return to primary and secondary school in a few short weeks, its two city centre stores will enjoy 30-40% of their annual turnover.

The second-generation family business is one of the biggest children’s shoe fitting stores in the entire South-East. Two staff members have been with owner, Gary Graham, for over 30 years. A third was fitted every year for her school shoes as a child and now manages one of Graham Shoes’ two stores in Kilkenny.

“We’re very proud of our reputation as expert fitters and we pride ourselves on our honesty. If a child’s shoes still fit, there is no hard sell. We will recommend they come back in a few weeks or months for new shoes, particularly school shoes.  The children of children we originally fitted are now coming back in to be fitted. It’s heartening to see and we’re very thankful to them," Mr Graham says.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE KILKENNY BUSINESS NEWS

“We started out just up the street in the Monster House in 1989. We opened on High Street in 1992 and added a specialist children’s department on nearby Friary Street in 1994. We also opened in Carlow in 1997. We’ve had our ups and downs, like any business. But we’re still here.”

Gary Graham is proud to be a Kilkenny retailer and is one of dozens working with Kilkenny County Council as part of the latest #ShopKilkenny campaign. It showcases and celebrates the multi-generational, independent retailers that make Kilkenny so special, so unique.

“Kilkenny is a fabulous place to live and to work. It’s beautiful, there is a great atmosphere here and we’re proud of the diversity of small shops dotted throughout our High Street and the arteries throughout our city," he says.

“We’re coming in to a critical time of the year for businesses like ours. We’d again like to remind people that we’re here, we’ve been here for 35 years and we’re eager to be here for many more.

“Without the footfall, without people coming in to support enterprises like ours, we may not be here in another 35 years.  That is the stark reality of the world we live in. We know the people of Kilkenny and those who make Kilkenny their shopping destination won’t let us down. We are grateful to all of our existing customers and always welcome new ones.”