Aodhain Kiernan, owner Kiernan’s Nearby talks to ShelfLife about how building a successful local business
takes more than just passion.

For Aodhain and Sinead Kiernan, returning home from Australia wasn’t just about a change of scenery it was about planting roots and building something with purpose. In a recent conversation with ShelfLife, Aodhain Kiernan, owner of Kiernan’s Nearby in Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan shared the heartfelt story behind their decision to take over a long-standing local shop and the vision driving their journey. Speaking on their decision, Aodhain says, “When Sinead and I returned home from Australia, we knew we wanted to build something lasting, something meaningful for years to come.”

“Kilnaleck has always been my home, but for Sinead, it was a new start and we both wanted to connect to the Kilnaleck community in a way that also supported the area.” “When a shop with deep roots in my family and in the village came up for sale, we knew it was the perfect opportunity. We see this as a chance to continue a family run business and make it our own.” ‘Exciting and daunting’ Aodhain and Sinead opened Kiernan’s Nearby in early November 2022. A move Aodhain says was “both exciting and daunting at the same time.” “Like many rural towns, Kilnaleck had lost key services over the years and our goal was to change this by turning our shop into a community hub for everyone in the village with a range of services, “he explains. “Like many rural towns, Kilnaleck had lost key services over the years and our goal was to change this by turning our shop into a community hub for everyone in the village with a range of services.” “We wanted to be part of the solution to give people a reason to shop local and feel proud of their community again. “To grow we knew we had to update the look and feel of our store, “he adds. “We then looked for a symbol partner who understood our goals not just in business, but for our community too. That’s where Nearby came in and it was a perfect fit in both name and values.” Staff support When it comes to launching or transforming a retail space, having the right support can make all the difference.

For businesses looking to elevate their operations, collaboration with experienced partners is key. “The team at Nearby supported us from the start. From the initial planning to shop design and implementation, their expertise was second to none, “Aodhain highlights. “Their store design team were instrumental and helped us reimagine the shop. Our senior business development manager, Stephen Vincent’s attention to detail also helped support our vision and growth for the future,” he adds. “Stephen’s attention to detail and dedicated support from the award-winning Nearby Marketing Team helped to support our vision for growth.” “Since rebranding with Nearby our stores offering
has increased to include an ATM, deli, ice cream, outdoor catering and more. Our aim is to make the
shop a place people want to visit, and we’re seeing it become the hub that the community has needed for
some time.”

Building a successful local business takes more than just passion – it requires the right support and a shared sense of purpose .For the team at Kiernan’s Nearby in Kilnaleck, partnering with Nearby has
provided both. As they continue to grow and connect with their community, Aodhain reflects on the role Nearby has played in helping them bring their vision to life. “Nearby gives us the tools and direction to
support this vision within the Kilnaleck community, staying true to Nearby’s tagline -‘Never too far from
home.” he conclude “The team at Nearby supported us from the start. From the initial planning to shop design and implementation, their expertise was second to none.”