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Lynch's Lair offers merchandise with an Irish, Celtic or Scottish
flair.
By Mary Radigan
The Grand Rapids Press
Meagan Andres is not Irish, but she wants
to share her love of the culture by providing everything from shamrock Christmas stockings to Guinness beer glasses at her
new store.
Lynch's Lair - "a unique offering of Celtic and Irish gifts" - celebrated
its grand opening last week in the Grand Central Plaza at 2055 28th St. SE.
"I spent almost two years doing research about opening a store dedicated
to Irish, Celtic and Scottish merchandise," said Andres, 34. "I went to trade shows and the vendors were very helpful."
Her shelves carry Caulfield glass, which is handcarved in Ireland and
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can be personalized with a family's crest or name or customized in any
fashion, free of charge.
There is Connemera marble, Irish Pub Songs CDs, brass door knockers
and Inis perfume, one of the most popular unisex scents on the Emerald Isle.
Then add jewelry, tapestries and rugs, Irish recipe books, some clothing,
artwork, dolls, candles, teas and feather quills to help round out the store's theme.
A large map od Ireland contains names, history and counties to help
visitors pinpoint any Irish lineage and a complete selection of items is available for holding an authentic Irish wedding.
Not all of the store's merchandise is made in the United Kingdom, but
Andres looks for Irish-related items from around the world she believes will appeal to West Michigan shoppers. "There's
still more to come, but sometimes the shipping
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takes some time to get through customs, " Andres said. "The store still
has some space to fill."
She named the store Lynch's Lair in honor of her stepfather,
Bill Lynch, whose grandparents came to this country from Ireland. Andres' family lives near Hubbardston, which is a small
village northeast of Ionia and a stronghold for anything -- and anyone -- Irish, Andres said.
"They have a small, successful Irish retail shop in Hubbardston,
and I figured with a population as big as Grand Rapids, we needed an Irish store here," said Andres, a former property rental
manager.
Andres said she also was motivated to open the store since
the Irishman's Corner in Rockford closed a few years ago.
"I was enamored by those stores, and I've always liked the
idea of Irish merchandise," Andres said. "Now my goal is to get to Ireland."
© THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS 2004
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