Heather Benedict, co-owner
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: Kerreen started the business in her basement. She was traveling to Irish dance competitions with her daughters and saw an opportunity to sell wigs, dance accessories and other Irish gifts to the attendees of the competitions. After a few years, Kerreen wanted to settle down. She found the perfect yellow cottage just a block from Main Street in downtown Littleton in 2001. Since then, the business has been ever evolving with the customers.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: We are a very unique retail shop. There are two aspects to our business that distinguish us: our variety of products and our customer service. Most of what we carry are items from Ireland or are locally made and Celtic (Irish or Scottish). Upon walking into our store, a customer will feel like he or she walked into a boutique in Dublin. Our products are beautiful pieces made to bring the nostaligia and history from Ireland to Colorado. Like any local a customer would approach in Ireland, our employees greet visitors with compassion and friendliness. We pride ourselves on creating an authentic experience for the customer. Our goal is to gain friends of our customers. The Irish heritage is one of community and friendship and loyalty. We hope all our customers feel this when they shop at our business.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: Meeting great new people. All Irish people are proud of where they come from and want to be more enriched in the hertitage and traditions. It’s great to hear about their recent trips to the Emerald Isle or to learn about their daughter who is doing her first confirmation that weekend. We get to provide our customers with a taste of Ireland and they provide us with a taste of Ireland around Colorado. It’s always fun and interesting to see the look on a customer’s face when they discover something in our store that they saw on their recent trip to Ireland. Or when they find something that reminds them of their grandparents. The memories and nostalgia shared are priceless.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: Our business is always trying to be the best we can be for our new friends. Our great challenge is to continually be changing our products but also continuing with the great and traditional heritage that comes from Ireland.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: Kerreen O’Connor Irish Goods is also the only boutique in Denver that rents 100 percent wool kilts. A customer can rent a kilt for weddings, funerals, proms, holiday parties and every event in between. Our kilt rentals have recently expanded to be able to outfit more rentals at one time. Kilts are a great way to incorporate your heritage into any of these events.
Profile
Business: Kerreen O’Connor Irish Goods
Address: 2595 W. Alamo Ave., Littleton
Hours: 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday
Founded: 1999
Contact: 303-794-6388,
Employees: 5
