Coronavirus Claims Longtime Irish Gift Shop in Old Town

After 50 years in business, The Irish Walk at 415 King Street will close by the end of July.

“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that after 50 years in business; The Irish Walk will be closing its doors on July 31, 2020,” owner Patty Theobald said in an email. “From the original owners, the Butler Family, to the Troy Family, to me and my staff, we have all enjoyed getting to know our customers and community over the last five decades.

Theobald said coronavirus was just the latest in a series of financial hurdles that were just too much for the business to withstand. The Irish Walk isn’t alone either, many businesses in the city are facing a slow recovery as sales remain low.

“The last couple of years have been financially hard on all of us,” Theobald said. From the government shutdown, to the summer closing of the Alexandria Metro stations, and now the pandemic; we all have suffered in ways we couldn’t have imagined,” Theobald said. “The Irish Walk is one business, in a long list of businesses that is finding it impossible to bounce back after this third financial hit.”

The store owners and staff left their customers with one last message of encouragement.

“We have fitted some of you with your first Irish dance shoes, ordered your wedding bands, watched your children grow, celebrated your anniversaries and helped you find the perfect gifts,” Theobald said. “We have appreciated hearing about your trips to Ireland and your family’s Irish histories and celebrating the big day with you…St. Patrick’s Day. It has been a joy.”

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Photo via The Irish Walk/Facebook