Visitors Guide
Absent from Downtown for almost two years, Irene’s reopened in its old location at 324 Water Street on Monday. Completely refurbished since being consumed by fire a little over two years ago on June 28, 2002, the locally owned store sells wedding invitations, cake decorating supplies, porcelain dolls and Newfoundland souvenirs.
Owners George and Irene Murphy say that it was a struggle to get up and running again, but it was worth it. Irene commented, “We love downtown. I can’t imagine being anywhere else”. George laughingly replies, “Yes, I was just about born and raised on Water Street”.
Their love of downtown St. John’s is evident in the many carvings of downtown buildings displayed about the store. George skillfully carves his creations out of balsa wood in his spare time. A glance around the store will reveal exact replicas of the Court House, the Colonial Building, the Basilica, row house and many more.
