29/07/2026
Our story has been featured by the Irish Independent.
We'd like to thank every customer, friend, and member of the community who has supported our family business over the years. Your loyalty has meant everything to us.
Read the full article below. ❤️
https://www.independent.ie/county/clare/serving-our-communities-has-been-the-privilege-of-our-lives-well-known-limerick-and-clare-family-shoe-business-to-shut-its-doors/a/159173914.html?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=share
'Serving our communities has been the privilege of our lives'- Well-known Limerick and Clare family shoe business to shut its doors
After serving the communities for almost 30 years in Kilrush, County Clare, and almost 20 years in Limerick city, the family-run business Central Shoes is set to close its doors.
Ran by husband-and-wife duo Niamh Whelan and Dion Zerafa, the business announced its closure via social media on July 18.
"After much reflection and with a mixture of deep emotion and excitement for the future, we are writing to share some important news regarding Central Shoes," the statement read.
"After nearly thirty incredible years of trading in Kilrush Town and almost twenty wonderful years in Limerick City, we have made the decision to close our physical storefronts.
"This choice was not made lightly, but as business owners, we have reached a point where we are ready to embrace a new challenge and pivot toward a fresh venture. While it is difficult to close this chapter, we feel the time is right for us to step into something new."
Speaking to the Irish Independent, Dion reflected on almost 20 years of running the Limerick store on Bedford Row, while his wite operated the Kilrush stalwart.
"Niamh was already in the business of footwear in Clare, in Kirush, when we met," he explained.
"My sister and I had built a brand-new petrol station in 2003 down in County Carlow, where I'm originally from, and the guy who built the petrol station, Ciaran Redmond, his sister was working and living in Kilrush at the time. His sister was a very good friend of Niamh's.
"His company built a new hotel about a year later down in Bunclody, County Wexford, and they had the official opening party. Niamh was invited down as a friend of Ciaran's sister, and I was invited down as a friend and good customer of Ciaran's.
"Niamh was also in business, so it was interesting, we had lots in common. We obviously got to know each other better and we decided then, a few years later, that we would open another footwear shop and I would run it.
"I could always help out with the petrol station and still be involved, but my sister was doing a great job running it. Unfortunately, my sister passed away last year from cancer, but my brother runs the petrol station now - it's still in the family.
"Clarks (the shoe brand) were interested in me getting involved in another store, so it kind of made sense to have a go at this."
More than 20 years later, after purchasing the Bedford Row building in 2007, and welcoming a now 10-year-old little girl, the couple's time as shoe salespeople is coming to an end.
"It's been an orderly wind-down, which is what we wanted," Dion smiled. "If you bury your head in the sand, it becomes disorderly, you know what I mean?"
Dion noted online shopping and the proliferation of sports brand's shoes as two major reasons for their decline in sales and eventual need to close.
He also debated that smaller, boutique-driven towns are where the main focus of those interested in a day out for shopping is going, saying customers are looking to be able to find outfits and shoes amongst a small collection of shops.
With a wealth of happy memories under their belts, the pair are sad to close the Limerick and Kilrush stores, but they know they did everything they could to keep the business going.
"What we'll miss most about the stores is definitely the interactions with our customers, the people who actually come in, not just to buy a pair of shoes, but to have a chat as well, and talk about the day-to-day issues," Dion said.
"It might sound that we're businesspeople and we're in to make money, but it's more than that.
We're in it to try and make a living, but we've also tried to do our best for our customers and our staff.
"You could argue that at the end of the day we have failed on that on that front, but it wasn't for want of trying. We really gave it a shot."
Despite the obvious sadness, Dion said he is excited for the next chapter of his family's life.
The businessman said the family have been blessed with fantastic staff and regular customers over the years, as well as great partnerships with brands like Clarks, Gabor, and more.
The family urged customers to visit them in store over the coming weeks to "say goodbye, share a memory" and browse the final items available.
"Serving our local communities has been the privilege of our lives," their online statement read.
"From fitting first pairs of school shoes to helping you find the perfect fit for life's most celebrated milestones; you have welcomed us into your families and your lives.
"Thank you for walking this path with us for all these years. We will carry the memories of both Kilrush and Limerick with us always."
