Yentl Ho's Ballina shop becomes permanent business with two Mayo locations
Yentl Ho's Ballina shop has grown from a three-month pop-up to a permanent business with two Mayo locations and five local jobs.
What began as a three-month pop-up shop in Ballina has, in less than five months, grown into a permanent business with two Mayo locations, an online store and five local jobs.
For Ballina entrepreneur Yentl Ho, the journey of The Yentl Way has been a whirlwind since she first opened the doors of her independent concept store on Tolan Street on June, 27.
Initially intended as a temporary venture, the shop received such a positive response from customers that Yentl decided to make it a permanent business. Now, having established a second location in at Market Lane in Westport, she is taking the opportunity to thank the customers and communities who have supported her along the way.
A Customer Appreciation and Festive Shopping Evening will take place at The Yentl Way in Ballina on Thursday, November 19, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. The evening will include festive treats, refreshments, lucky dips, prizes and surprises, with Yentl keen to show her appreciation to everyone who has helped make the business what it is today.
"When I first opened The Yentl Way, I genuinely thought I was opening a three-month pop-up. I never imagined things would move so quickly. The support from people in Ballina has been incredible. Customers have come back, brought their friends and family, recommended us to others and really helped make the shop what it is today. I'm so grateful to everyone who has supported us," said Yentl.
Behind the business is a story that is deeply rooted in Ballina.
Yentl's parents are from Hong Kong; however, she grew up in Ballina, where she and her brother were once the only Chinese children in their school. At the time, Asian food and culture were considerably less familiar to the local community.
Today, as she raises her own three children in Ballina, Yentl has witnessed a significant change. One of the particular joys of running the shop is seeing young customers arrive with their parents, proudly introducing them to their favourite Asian snacks, drinks and products.
That connection between different cultures and generations is reflected in the concept behind The Yentl Way, which brings together Asian food and culture with a carefully selected range of Irish-made products, gifts and independent brands.
From ramen, noodles, Asian sweets, snacks and drinks to artwork, natural products and gifts from Irish makers, the shop offers customers an opportunity to discover something different while supporting independent businesses.
Supporting Irish makers has always been an important part of Yentl's vision. Each product is personally selected, with an emphasis on quality, originality and items she genuinely loves herself. The shop also provides a physical retail space for independent Irish makers and emerging brands to introduce their products to new customers.
The expansion to Westport marks a significant next step for the business. The second location has created further employment, bringing the total number of local jobs across both shops to five. The Westport team also trained in the original Ballina store, helping them develop practical retail skills and experience as the business grows. Yentl has plans for further employment as the business develops.
"Opening in Westport is a really exciting step for us. Ballina will always be where The Yentl Way began, and I'm delighted that we've been able to build on the support we received there and bring the concept to another Mayo town. It's been a busy few months, but I'm really looking forward to what comes next," she said.
To celebrate the new Westport location, The Yentl Way will host a Christmas Celebration and Official Ribbon Cutting on Saturday, November 21, from 10am to 6pm. The event will include festive treats, lucky dips, prizes and more, with the ribbon-cutting time to be confirmed.
The Ballina Customer Appreciation Evening takes place at The Yentl Way, Tolan Street, on Thursday, November 19, from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm. The Westport Christmas Celebration takes place at 4 Market Lane on Saturday, November 21, from 10am to 6pm.