When Lisa Connolly and Luke Marsh opened Finders Keepers on Michael Street in Waterford City in 2017, they were making a bet that the city was ready for a different kind of gift shop — one that stocked small independent brands from Ireland, the UK, Europe and Australia, and treated the selection itself as a form of curation worth caring about. The bet paid off.
Sixty Brands, Thoughtfully Chosen
At its peak, Finders Keepers stocked over 60 small independent brands — a rotating mix of Irish makers, sustainable home goods, and the kind of gifts that feel specific rather than generic. The shop became a destination for people who wanted to buy something meaningful rather than something merely convenient.
Lisa and Luke built their reputation on buying with conviction — stocking brands they actually believed in, rather than filling shelves with safe commercial product. That approach built a loyal customer base and a distinctive identity that was hard to replicate.
What Comes Next
In September 2024, the Michael Street shop closed. It was, by all accounts, a “bittersweet” decision — the natural end of one chapter for a business that had given a great deal to Waterford’s independent retail scene over nearly seven years.
The online store at finderskeepersthestore.ie continues to carry the same spirit: carefully sourced, thoughtfully chosen, not like anything else. If you loved the shop on Michael Street, the online experience is worth exploring.
Seven years, 60+ independent brands, and a shop that made Michael Street worth visiting. The physical store is gone; the ethos lives on at finderskeepersthestore.ie.
Finders Keepers
🌐 finderskeepersthestore.ie
📸 @finderskeepersthestore
