The third-generation family business is opening a new shopping centre store
19:27, 19 Feb 2026Updated 19:32, 19 Feb 2026
(Image: Chloe Barrett )
A family-owned shoe shop business is getting ready to open a new location at a busy shopping centre in Cork – after closing a store in the city centre.
A new Shoe Suite will open in Douglas Court Shopping Centre soon. The business already has a location on Maylor Street in the city centre which is popular among shoppers.
It is owned by the same family who run the third-generation O’Dwyer’s Footwear, a business which is over 60 years old and closed its shoe shop on Oliver Plunkett Street. When the shop closed, they reassured customers they would still be able to shop the shoes they love at the Maylor Street store.
Now, there’ll be another spot to check out their range. The Douglas Court shop is expected to open next month.
CLOSED – O’Dwyer’s footwear on Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork(Image: Savills)
O’Dwyers was established by Florence O’Dwyer in Midleton in 1960. Her son David O’Dwyer has since expanded the business to six stores across Ireland, including in Clonmel, Kikenny, Dungarvan and Waterford city, trading under the trusted names of The Shoe Suite and O’Dwyers Footwear. They also have a wholesale business, designing and distributing men’s shoes under the brand Mezlan.
The old location on Oliver Plunkett Street is now up for rent. The retail unit at 114 Oliver Plunkett Street is listed with Savills as an ideal location in the centre of one of the busiest shopping streets in the city. . The 79sqm ground floor shop benefits from high footfall on the pedestrianised street. Letting agent Lia Dennehy says the location boasts: “an eclectic mix of retailers, which include international, national, and local business. There is a mix of boutique retail and strong food and beverage offering.”