The Cross & Shamrock’s 40 years of blending culture and faith
April 8, 2025 at 11:35 a.m.
Advertiser Spotlight:
Ann Bauersachs’ dream of owning her own business where she would sell Irish items and religious goods together became a reality. And on April 8, The Cross & Shamrock will celebrate its 40th anniversary as a business, a ministry and, as its website states, “the go-to store for special occasions like Baptisms, First Holy Communions and weddings.”
“The two complemented each other,” said Bauersachs. “The vision of the business has always been to show pride and love of my upbringing in a large Irish Catholic family by making religious and Irish goods readily available.”
Bauersachs, a member of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, started Cross & Shamrock with Anne Alloway, who was a friend and colleague from St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton, where Bauersachs had been employed. The store, initially located on Nottingham Way in Hamilton, opened April 8, 1985. A grand opening celebration was held later in the month with Msgr. Edward O’Keefe, pastor of the town’s Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, blessing the store, and Mayor Jack Rafferty cutting the ribbon. Two years later, Alloway got married and Bauersachs’ husband, Leonard, took over as his wife’s business partner and co-owner. Mr. Bauersachs died in 2017.
“Len was instrumental in making the business successful,” Bauersachs said, noting that the success was attributed to relocating several times and even operating two stores simultaneously. Eighteen years ago, the business returned to being one store at its current location, 1669 Route 33 in Hamilton Square, which is in a heavily traveled area and near St. Gregory the Great Parish.
“The store has grown in both size and content,” said Bauersachs. Year-round the store specializes in Irish imports, gifts and religious items and liturgical resources. But there are certain times when merchandise is in abundance. Around St. Patrick’s Day, Irish goods are prominently featured, and with First Holy Communion season in the spring, there are display racks and shelves of attire and necessities for both boys and girls. Shoppers can find an array of gifts, decorations and necessities for Christmas and Easter as well.
“We have experienced so many changes over the years,” she said. “But the one thing that has always stayed constant is our loyal customer base.”
Though Bauersachs officially retired in October, she’s a permanent fixture at the store, lending a hand and offering her business expertise to the staff, including her son, Tim, the store’s manager.
On April 8, a 40th anniversary open house will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served and that day the store will begin offering 40 days of discounts on specific items in store.
“So come on over, take a look around and spend some time celebrating with us. We’d love to see you there,” Bauersachs said.
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Advertiser Spotlight:
Ann Bauersachs’ dream of owning her own business where she would sell Irish items and religious goods together became a reality. And on April 8, The Cross & Shamrock will celebrate its 40th anniversary as a business, a ministry and, as its website states, “the go-to store for special occasions like Baptisms, First Holy Communions and weddings.”
“The two complemented each other,” said Bauersachs. “The vision of the business has always been to show pride and love of my upbringing in a large Irish Catholic family by making religious and Irish goods readily available.”
Bauersachs, a member of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, started Cross & Shamrock with Anne Alloway, who was a friend and colleague from St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton, where Bauersachs had been employed. The store, initially located on Nottingham Way in Hamilton, opened April 8, 1985. A grand opening celebration was held later in the month with Msgr. Edward O’Keefe, pastor of the town’s Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, blessing the store, and Mayor Jack Rafferty cutting the ribbon. Two years later, Alloway got married and Bauersachs’ husband, Leonard, took over as his wife’s business partner and co-owner. Mr. Bauersachs died in 2017.
“Len was instrumental in making the business successful,” Bauersachs said, noting that the success was attributed to relocating several times and even operating two stores simultaneously. Eighteen years ago, the business returned to being one store at its current location, 1669 Route 33 in Hamilton Square, which is in a heavily traveled area and near St. Gregory the Great Parish.
“The store has grown in both size and content,” said Bauersachs. Year-round the store specializes in Irish imports, gifts and religious items and liturgical resources. But there are certain times when merchandise is in abundance. Around St. Patrick’s Day, Irish goods are prominently featured, and with First Holy Communion season in the spring, there are display racks and shelves of attire and necessities for both boys and girls. Shoppers can find an array of gifts, decorations and necessities for Christmas and Easter as well.
“We have experienced so many changes over the years,” she said. “But the one thing that has always stayed constant is our loyal customer base.”
Though Bauersachs officially retired in October, she’s a permanent fixture at the store, lending a hand and offering her business expertise to the staff, including her son, Tim, the store’s manager.
On April 8, a 40th anniversary open house will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served and that day the store will begin offering 40 days of discounts on specific items in store.
“So come on over, take a look around and spend some time celebrating with us. We’d love to see you there,” Bauersachs said.