The business started fifteen years ago, when Sean, originally, a farmer and grower himself, saw a small premises on the main street was available to rent and got the notion of starting a vegetable shop. Dorothy thought he’d gone mad, wondering if a shop, which concentrated solely on supplying vegetables to what was then a reasonably small community could ever survive. But, from day one, the shop had a constant trail of customers. As demand grew, so did the need for a bigger shop. When a corner premises over the road came up for sale a number of years ago, they moved lock, stock and barrel, and never looked back.

When it comes to dining, you can grab something to go or enjoy a more leisurely experience in the upstairs seating area or outdoor area.

The deli counter is laden with home cooked meats like turkey, ham, and spiced beef, with a selection of fresh salads all made in-house daily. Order a sandwich on any kind of house bread to take away or, for those who wish to linger a while, enjoy with a tea or coffee in the cosy upper seating area that looks out onto the main street. In summer, tables and chairs are located outdoors at the side of the shop, which has a babbling river running by.

As you can see, this is more than just a greengrocer. It is a one stop shop for all your local, artisanal food needs and a place to enjoy terrific local food made by a passionate team.

An eye catching shop front with seasonal window boxes provides the entrance to a cornucopia of fresh local foods.

Front of house is dedicated to the fruit and vegetable section, with suppliers named on handwritten labels. There is a good selection all year round, but it’s even more impressive during the summer months with wares from named local farmers and growers. To the rear, an artisan food section includes Dorothy’s homemade jams and chutneys made from seasonal fruits and vegetables, and a table laden with sweet and savoury home baking and breads, all made fresh on the premises every day. Oils, vinegars and dressings are stacked on shelves and a chill cabinet proudly displays produce from Ballycotton Seafood along with Irish cheeses, artisan specialties and fresh meats from a long-standing Cork city supplier. A small but well-chosen range of Old and New World wines means you can pick up a bottle you might not find elsewhere.