With 14 stores and cafes across the country, Avoca is one of Ireland’s most browsable home-grown chains
Avoca is an Irish chain of home and food stores that has beguiled shoppers since its founders, Donald and Hilary Pratt, set it up in the early 1970s.
Situated in the pretty village in Co Wicklow of the same name, it was then known as Avoca Handweavers and featured a refreshing mix of food and drink that became as big a draw as its hand-loomed throws.
Under the next generation, siblings Simon, Amanda and Ivan, the concept evolved and expanded to become what might just have been Ireland’s first concept shop, serving food and drink in cafes that serve moreish food and increased dwell time and stock a selection of practical pieces and fripperies that were as covetable as they were talking points.
The brand has matured into a very confident mix.
The fashion ranges have expanded too, but its interiors and homewares form a core part of the brand’s DNA, which includes injections of colour, brocante finds, shabby chic chandeliers overhead, cookbooks and crockery.
Its expansion coincided with the rise in cupcake culture and the return of afternoon tea and all the accoutrements that go with that ritual.
Avoca cookbooks have become well-thumbed bestsellers and fill bookshelves in homes across the country.
The current homeware offer includes 1970s ceramics by HK Living.
Standout pieces include tapas bowls, €37.50, for a set of four; a tall stem tapas bowl in sunshine shades, €21.95; a lidded cookie jar, €55, and a range of drinking vessels.
There are life-size sheep in shades you might see in a Co Wicklow field, as well as a soft pastel pink option, €275.00, from Tuline and a sheepskin-upholstered swivel chair, €1,350, from Coach House, that makes you want to curl up in it.
