As Covid-19 restrictions continue, it is becoming increasingly difficult for small businesses to survive.
Heartfelt announcements about closures have been appearing on Facebook and Twitter pages throughout the pandemic.
Pauline Maguire is one business owner who made the tough decision to close permanently at the start of August.
Ms Maguire had been running Toffee & Thyme, a café and restaurant in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford for the last 24 years.
Despite receiving great support from the community, she said numbers were way down and she just couldn't stay open any longer.
Speaking on Morning Ireland, Ms Maguire explained why she decided to share the news in a note, which she posted on the café door and on social media.
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"I felt I couldn't come into the café and actually tell people I was closing because that would have been too painful. It would have been like a wake and I didn't want to get too emotional about it," she said.
Ms Maguire said closing the business was an extremely difficult decision to make, as the café had been such a huge part of her life for over two decades.
"Really this café has been my life. I don't have children, so I've always felt like everyone at work was my family - customers and employees," she said.
With the Covid-19 restrictions and regulations in place, Ms Maguire said it was becoming impossible to stay afloat.
"I had to face the reality of things. I put a note up on the door of the café and on social media announcing the closure. I thanked people and told them they have been super. The community has supported me, I have had the same customers coming here for the past 24 years and they are like my family."
When the time is right, Ms Maguire said she is hopeful she will start a new venture.
All across the country business owners are finding themselves in similar situations.
Seamus Boland, CEO of Irish Rural Link, a network of rural community groups and individuals, said we must do everything we can to protect the small businesses in our towns and villages.
"These closures are really hitting our local communities. Small businesses are so important for our local economy. They provide a huge number of jobs, often part-time jobs for those in the area," he said.
During these challenging times, Mr Boland said further supports need to be put in place to look after the well-being of business people and the wider community.
"There is so much anxiety and worry within communities at the moment. People are worried about the spread of Covid-19, but they are also worried about financial issues like keeping businesses open, paying bills and job security," he said.
