Formerly the Stephen Pearce Emporium, this large premises lends itself very well to its current use as a design centre, gallery, shop and café and it is worth allowing some time for a browse and a tasty bite to eat here if you’re visiting the area.
Like the other Kilkenny shops, it’s a quality shopping experience with Orla Kiely is among the designers featured in both fashions and household treats so fans of her distinctive style will find plenty to please them.
But there is much more besides, including accessories, jewellery, crafts - and a well-chosen range of speciality and Irish artisan foods, some of which are not often seen on sale elsewhere.
If you can get through the barricade of temptations artfully arranged en route, a bright, relaxing area at the far end is home to the aptly named Café Artisan, where temptations of an edible nature are displayed promisingly as you enter.
And the experience lives up to anticipation: you’ll find all the ingredients-led salads, quiches, casseroles, home-baked breads and (especially) cakes that are the Kilkenny specialities, and everything has that home-cooked flavour.
An interesting place to visit at any time, and a boon on a wet day.
