A BELOVED Cork business will close its doors for the final time in just a few weeks, the owners have confirmed.
The Leafling Mercantile store in Ballinspittle announced it was shutting down for good yesterday.
The small business confirmed that they will stay open for at least the next two weeks, keeping the same opening hours.
But the apothecary-style refill shop, said that they will close their doors in the coming weeks, unless a new owner can be found to take over.
Taking to social media, they said: “Thank you for all of the love and sharing of our recent reel about supporting small Irish businesses.
“It’s particularly a bittersweet little video as I have made the decision to, sadly, close the doors of this sweet little shop.
“We will continue to trade for a few weeks more(unless someone would be interested in taking it over! 
)… and will be keeping the same opening hours for at least the next two week.”
The health food and refill store was first opened in 2019 by local Shannen Keane and Tim Kennedy.
They urged customers to continue visiting them until they close for good and said they would continue updating people on their social media accounts.
The post added: “So please do pop in, stock up on your refills and have the chats with the Leafling Staff members.
“I will be posting more updates as the days go by… it’s a shame because we just got a bunch of new followers too!”
And customers were left heartbroken by the news of the stores closure, with many rushing to the comments to say it will be missed.
One person said: “We are really sorry for you, it’s such an enormously hard time for all small businesses and we hope you mind yourselves well.”
Another added: “Shannen I am so sorry to hear this. I can’t believe it. Will really miss your beautiful store.”
A third asked: “What is the last date you will remain open? As I only go to ballinspittle for Diva and your shop? What’s the last date open?”
Shannen confirmed: “At least another 3 weeks! We still have plenty of stock to get through and want to give everyone time to stock up!
“I’ll be posting more information as the time goes on.”
ANOTHER STORE CLOSED
Separately, another Irish community has been left devastated after an iconic business made a shock closure announcement.
Boston Cleaners on Alexander Street in Waterford has been open for 78 years and has been family run across two generations.
The owner, Martin Falconer announced his retirement from the family business – and as a result, the closure of the store.
Started in 1945, Boston Cleaners was originally run by Martin’s father and it offered locals a reliable cleaning service under his direction.
According to Waterford News and Star, staff have been in touch with customers who are “on close terms with the business” and asked them to collect any items that still may remain in store.
A small number of items remain unclaimed.
Martin thanked his customers, saying: “A lot of our customers would be regulars who we’d be on very intimate terms with, and now practically all garments have been collected.
“People have a couple of great alternatives, and there’s a few cleaners left in Waterford that will offer the service.”