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Family-run clothes shop closes after six decades

Gaby's was located at the Smithfield entrance to CastleCourt
Gaby's was located at the Smithfield entrance to CastleCourt Gaby's was located at the Smithfield entrance to CastleCourt

A FAMILY-OWNED children’s clothes shop that survived the Troubles and became an ‘institution’ for Holy Communion and christening outfits is to close its doors after almost 60 years.

Gaby Childrenswear, at the Smithfield entrance to CastleCourt shopping centre in Belfast, is pulling down the shutters in what its owners have described as an “emotional decision”.

Almost 1,200 customers responded to a social media post from the shop’s management – the fourth generation to run the independent ‘gem’.

Founded in 1960, it became hugely popular for supplying specialist clothes for babies and young children celebrating First Communion and Confirmation. It was also famed for its Christmas window display.

The management wrote: “We have made a momentous decision about the future of our family business and with heavy hearts we have made the decision to close our shop premises.

“This has been an extremely emotional decision... but with our business heads on, we feel that it is time to move on to pastures new, wherever and whatever they may be.

“On a personal level, since the passing of my mum last year, I have found it practically impossible to actually make it over the door of the shop, as I spent all of my adult life working alongside my mum, my aunt & my granny. This has made the decision very emotional for us all.”

Veteran Belfast city councillor Jim Rodgers said the closure of family-run businesses was on the increase.

“This is a real surprise and is very sad. This is a highly regarded business that was used by both sides of the community and was thriving. It was there long before CastleCourt shopping centre was, I’m very sorry to hear it’s going,” he said.

Customers shared their memories of the shop and its staff as well as posting photographs of children in ‘Gaby’ outfits from the past 50 years.

“Can’t believe I’m reading this. Gaby's was an institution in town, even when my ones were grown up I always stopped to look at window. Felt good to see all the beautiful wee clothes. I’ll miss that,” one woman wrote.

Another described the shop’s closure as the “end of an era”.