Save Our Homeless' Chloe & Co café in Dundalk a thriving community hub
Dundalk’s Chloe & Co. café becomes thriving community hub since opening in late 2025, supported by Community Finance Ireland loan
Since opening its doors in late 2025, Save Our Homeless’ Chloe & Co. social enterprise café has become a warm and welcoming hub in the heart of Dundalk - bringing people together while also raising vital funds to support efforts to tackle homelessness locally.
This innovative community space has been supported by a loan from Community Finance Ireland, helping turn Save Our Homeless' ambitious vision into reality.
The first of its kind in Louth, Chloe & Co. is a café with a difference, transforming the former News & Deli premises on Park Street into a vibrant social enterprise with a clear purpose.
More than just a café, it raises vital funds to help tackle homelessness and poverty locally, while creating inclusive employment opportunities for people living with intellectual and physical disabilities and offering a warm and welcoming space for the wider community to come together.
The new café also boasts a new state-of-the-art sensory room, providing a relaxing, safe space for parents, caregivers and others to come and relax.
The idea was the brainchild of Sonja van Kalkeren, founder of the charity Save Our Homeless who, through her work within the community, realised that there are very few opportunities for people living with intellectual or physical disabilities.
Robbie Coburn, who works in Chloe & Co. says, "We have two secret weapons - our founder Sonja and our clientele.
“We’ve such nice people coming in and it really makes the place. It’s great craic and makes it a wonderful place to work. Every day we’re so busy and it’s because of that community spirit. People want to help, they want to make a difference.
“And the café gives them the opportunity to show their support... Without the loan from Community Finance Ireland, we just wouldn't be here, it's as simple as that.”
Community Finance Ireland is a charity and social enterprise that provides loans exclusively to other third-sector organisations such as community groups, charities, sports clubs and social enterprises on an all-island basis, and as a non-profit, it does finance differently.
Instead of profit-driven interest, CFI has created a model rooted in community support, where every repayment helps another volunteer-led organisation take their next step in delivering impact for their community.
Colm Prendergast (North Leinster, Monaghan & Cavan) with Community Finance Ireland says, “In such a short space of time, Save Our Homeless has already made a remarkable impact in Dundalk through their social enterprise café.
“Community Finance Ireland is proud to be supporting their journey by providing a loan to create this thriving local business, and truly inclusive space."
He adds, "Chloe & Co. is providing meaningful employment opportunities for people living with disabilities, and the addition of the sensory room has helped create a unique, welcoming environment for families.
“What makes it even more special is that every purchase in the café also supports a hugely worthwhile cause, with customers directly contributing to efforts to tackle homelessness and poverty in the region.”
To find out more about how social finance from Community Finance Ireland, contact [email protected] or visit www.communityfinanceireland.com.