High Quality Exclusive Stock Remains Under New Ownership at Shops of Ireland
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
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CHIEF LIGHTING DESIGNER Billy Canning of Waterford Crystal with one of his magnificent chandelier designs. Canning will be available at Shops of Ireland in West Edmonton Mall on December 4 to sign an exclusive Waterford vase which is now available
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On a recent visit to Edmonton, I stopped in to visit the Shops of Ireland store located in the world-famous West Edmonton Mall.
Last March, former owners Wayne and Sheilagh Ireland sold their exclusive shop to Edmonton-born native Dallas Leahy.
Leahy has an extensive business background, having previously owned several fast food businesses and still owns Quiznos Subs in the West Edmonton Mall. He and his family are also involved in property management, and for 10 years Leahy worked in the managerial end of running both a public and a private golf course in Edmonton.
Shops of Ireland is the only Irish import store now in Alberta. Much of the exclusive stock, Celtic jewellery, gifts, beautiful sweaters and throws have remained the same.
"We haven't really changed anything," said Leahy, "except some minor tweaks in the men's wear, such as adding rugby shirts. In fact, we will soon be receiving the official Irish national team rugby jerseys from Ireland from a new company called Canterbury, but really, we don't want to change what was successful in the past."
One upcoming event Leahy is particularly excited about is the upcoming Waterford signing event. Billy Canning, who has been with Waterford for the past 25 years, is a master designer at the Waterford factory in Ireland.
Leahy told me Billy Canning will be in his store on December 4 and his visit is exclusive to Shops of Ireland in Northern Alberta.
He said, "this is a perfectly timed event, not only for our Waterford customers but for Christmas shoppers and for all those other special occasion events where only the best will do."
In his capacity as chief designer at Waterford, Billy Canning has designed specially commissioned chandeliers for palaces, public buildings and palatial private homes in locations all over the world.
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DALLAS LEAHY owner of Shops of Ireland with sales clerk Faye Walker
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His most recent project spanned five years, when he designed and built the atrium sculptures aboard the latest four brand new Holland America mega-sized cruise liners. During his working life he has met many famous people from the world of arts, politics and sports, all of whom had one thing in common...their love for Waterford Crystal.
The Waterford signing at Shops of Ireland will take place from Noon to 7 PM on December 4. An exclusive Waterford vase has been made available for the signing event. Billy Canning will only be signing this vase or anything purchased in the store as a pre-order or from existing stock.
Twenty percent is being offered for pre-orders and persons who purchase $350 or more Waterford, will receive a free gift.
Shops of Ireland is located in Phase I of the West Edmonton Mall, near the Bay store. For more information, call (780) 444-1654, or e-mail: shopsofireland@wem.ca.
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