Aug 21, 2008

Owner new, but store’s focus remainsBy Barton HorowitzSILive.com

Staten Island, NY — It’s been about a year and a half since Patty Curry became the new owner of the popular West Brighton store now known as Curry’s Claddagh Gift Shop. Her path to proprietorship, however, began years earlier.

“I grew up in West Brighton, and I always wanted the store,” said Mrs. Curry, who purchased the consummate Irish emporium from its founders, former New York City Police Detective Ray Taylor and his wife, Joan. The couple ran the Claddagh Gift Shop for nearly a quarter of a century.

“I haunted Ray for years, and he finally gave in to me upon his retirement,” Mrs. Curry said.

The specialty store at 605 Forest Ave. is well-known for its delightful inventory of all things Irish, including clothing and other imports from the Emerald Isle.

“I sell infant to adult clothes and sweaters, Belleek fine bone china, Galway Crystal, jewelry, art, pottery, christening and communion gowns, and lots more,” Ms. Curry said.

The store carries food products, framed art and fine jewelry.

“I also added a lot of garden gnomes, crosses and gardening accents,” Mrs. Curry said.

“I’m overflowing with sweaters and Irish-wool coats and capes,” she added, referring to recently arrived holiday-season inventory.

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