Local Business Spotlight: Open Sesame, Gort

This week for our Local Business Spotlight we caught up with Sally Smith, owner of Open Sesame health food store in Gort.

Open Sesame first opened its doors in Ennis in 1988, offering high-quality health foods to the Clare community. In 1998, a second outlet was opened in the Market Hall shopping centre, Gort. Setting up the business was a natural step for Sally, who'd had a love for the natural world from a young age as well as a passion for real food and an interest in where it comes from.

As a female business owner in the 80s and 90s, Sally faced her fair share of challenges. She received part-time help and plenty of encouragement from her husband, Hugo. But when male reps called in and asked her if they could speak to the boss, she often found herself telling them: you already are.

Times — and the shop — have changed a lot since then. Sally says the science behind herbal supplements has improved massively and that customer preferences have gone full circle. 

'We started off with fresh local veg, organic unpasteurized milk, sourdough bread and fabulous organic local eggs, but these are still key products and we're proud to say that local eggs are our best selling product by number per week — even after all these years!'

Have some foods more than others grown in popularity over the last 30-odd years?

Sally says that 'what was once seen as "weird hippy food" eg. brown rice and lentils, is now mainstream and endorsed by celebrities.' Thanks in part to the internet, cupboard staples such as quinoa/fresh tumeric have also surged in popularity in recent years. 

The Open Sesame Team

When it comes to customer service, the team at Open Sesame are more than just sales assistants. 

'Our excellent staff are all very well trained in supplementation and nutrition and give great sales advice. But it's more than that. Our staff practice what they preach, with many involved in teaching fitness, yoga, baby massage, and so on. This means that sometimes a customer may be prescribed to eat more clean protein, learn to swim, drink more water, do certain stretches, breathing exercises, or meditate to deal with stress.'

Open Sesame's Gort shopfront

Asked what she loves most about her job, Sally says it's learning something new every day, taking care of people, her staff, and the 'humorous, quirky openness of the folks in the Gort area.'

Now in her 60s, Sally has left the directorship of the company in the competent hands of her son, Leroy, who works remotely from Dublin. She also has a 'fab general manager, Elaine, who's an expert on animal as well as human health. Not to mention, a great floor manager, Tara, and four brilliant staff mean I am in a lot less which gives me more time for my garden!' 

Going Online

They are currently in the process of launching their new and improved website, www.opensesame.ie. Speaking on its main features, Sally says:

'The site has been designed to link directly to our till systems, ensuring stock levels are updated every few minutes. This means our online customers can be confident that what we have in-store, we have available online! The system is also being tailor-made for click and collect services and will prove to be a vital resource not only for online customers but local ones alike.'

Their online ordering system is supported by the superb service of the Gort Post Office, which allows the team to send parcels quickly and easily. 

Favourite places to while away an afternoon in Gort?

'The fab bagel place and the wonderful wild garlic kitchen in our mall where you can buy a takeout picnic and take it to the lovely Gort River Walk.

I think Gort will be an eat out destination now more than ever. I love the Gallery Café (who doesn't?) and Roosters are amazing for farm to table. I have been sooo impressed with the efforts of local pubs and hotels to get outdoor dining set up — despite the rain!'

Check out Open Sesame in the Gort Shopping section of the Xplore Local app for more information on what they do, where to find them, and how to get in touch!