Barkers, a family-run gift and homeware store on South Main Street, is to permanently close after more than 175 years of trading.
The owners announced the closure on social media on 6 May 2026, citing retirement as the main reason. “After 40 years of service, and many great memories, it is with a heavy heart that we announce that Barkers is retiring,” the statement said.
The business was established in 1848 and has been owned and operated by the Asple family since 1986. Bertha Asple is the owner, and Dorothy Rossiter is the store manager.
A Retirement Sale with 30% off everything in-store is now underway. The store is expected to close by the June bank holiday weekend of 2026.
The building at 36-40 South Main Street will be listed for sale through Keane Auctioneers. According to the agent, the property extends to approximately 724 sq. m over three floors and includes a retail space and a coffee shop.
Barkers was named County Wexford Giftware Store of the Year for 2024, the second consecutive year it won the award.
The store has a long history in the town. During Sean Barker’s era, it was where Aer Lingus plane tickets were sold, and the premises hosted meetings for the 1916 Easter Rising.
Local councillor Leonard Kelly said the closure was another blow to Main Street, which already had 19 vacant retail units as of February 2026. Kelly warned that the street may never return to its former glory due to rising rents, online competition, and changing shopping habits.