Business
WATCH Meet the team of Zip Yard Limerick who seamlessly stitch up success!
Meet the Zip Yard Limerick team who tell us why they love the company and their backgrounds in fashion. The front and back of house staff of The Zip Yard Limerck. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
We spoke to front-of-house staff to meet the Zip Yard Limerick team about why they love working for the company and their backgrounds in fashion
Don and Caroline Wallace, through their company, The Zip Yard, have transformed a traditional cottage industry into a thriving professional retail business. Together, they successfully grew a business into a multimillion-euro franchise.
The Zip Yard specialises in all types of alterations including denim, leather, fur, suit tailoring, bridal, evening wear, restyling and upcycling, home furnishings and basically anything else that fits under a sewing machine!
In 2009, Don and Caroline took over the licence for the franchise for the Republic of Ireland. The Zip Yard has been sewing up the repair and alterations industry in Ireland and has been making waves with its innovative products/services and stellar customer satisfaction.
Sadly Don passed away in 2018 and since then Caroline has been successfully running the business on her own but behind every successful enterprise is a team of dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to bring the vision to life.
The Zip Yard Limerick’s greatest asset is the team that makes it all possible with each individual playing an integral role in the company’s success, and their passion for excellence shines through in everything they do.
Three members of the front-of-house team Rachel, Daniella and Greg, are made up of Limerick School of Art & Design graduates.
Front-of-house staff member Rachel explained her favourite thing about working for The Zip Yard is, “all of the customers I get to meet and all the wonderful transformations we are able to create for their garments.”
“We completely rebuild things, we do minor alterations as well as repairs,” explained Rachel, continuing “My background is in fashion and textiles for product and costume. I’m about to start my fourth year of my degree at LSAD.”
Daniella, who is a fashion designer who recently completed her Master’s Degree in Enterprise said the team is her favourite part of working with the Zip Yard is, “The team. We have a lovely team, we work really close together, and I just love all the customers coming in and we get to create these lovely clothes.
“I love upcycling and recycling, I just love the team and working with customers, that’s my favourite thing.”
Greg says he loves “working with all of the talented seamstresses” who play a major role in delivering Zip Yard’s products.
“I love working with all the talented seamstresses, they’re really skilled so it’s amazing to get to learn new skills and new ways of doing and mending clothes,” said Greg.
Greg also has a background in fashion like the other front-of-house staff, most recently he made “clothes and a few bits” for Denise Chaila on the Ed Sheeran tour, saying working in the Zip Yard is “one-hundred per cent” a great place to learn about the industry.
Zipping along as a franchise success story, The Zip Yard have modernised the concept. Understanding that people are very busy, they offer a quick turnaround in a boutique setting and offer a clothing remodelling and alterations service in a contemporary setting that is customer-focused.
Pop in and say hello! You won’t meet a nicer team of people! Congrats to Caroline and her team and every continuing success for the future!
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