Before we depart for Dublin on Sunday, we visited a local Irish shop that was run by Tom Petrone and Maura Krushinski. Located right by campus, the Irish Design Center offers a wonderful look into authentic Irish craftsmanship, culture, and community. Speaking with Tom gave us valuable information on what we should expect in Ireland, since he’s been there so many times he might as well be considered a native. He also showed us how they curate authentic imported goods, ranging from sweaters that were hand-knitted and crafted in the heart of Ireland to Celtic jewelry and artisan gifts. His storytelling makes having a shop like this successful, as it makes the customers feel connected to the culture and history behind every item. Seeing how Tom blends passion and personal connection gave us a great perspective on what makes a small specialty retail thrive. Although they’ve been successful in recent years, Tom and his business face political challenges. The tariffs that were imposed make it harder for him to continuously buy and import products directly from Ireland without high extra costs. As we prepare our trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland, visiting the Irish Design Center was the bridge between our community in Pittsburgh and our upcoming global experience.