New Business openings and closures around you?

bb1234567

Lets see what damage the recession is doing or if many new businesses have managed to open during these hard times.
New openings of businesses around you, closures of businesses around you?
New openings I saw recently-
Mini golf dundrum,
pandora dundrum,
gourmet grill Rathmines,
mr.simms sweet shop opening rathmines soon.
calendar club nutgrove,
mr bs arcade nutgrove,
trespass nutgrove,
dwarka indian takeaway rathmines,
paco nutgrove,
3 store nutgrove,
macari fish and chips, braemor
smiles dental dundrum
new restaurant to open in dundrum soon.
kids charity shop in dundrum
best barber shop,dundrum

closures
pizza hut rathgar
spar rathgar
chinese takeaway rathgar
gamestop rathmines
zumo swan centre,

all i can think of for now, whats happening around you.:)

dubscottie

Noticed tonight that the old Centra at the top of Rathmines Road (at the corner near O'Briens off-licence) is going to be a Tesco Express!

Absolute madness as they have a store 500 yards (if that) down the road.

Are they trying to put all the small shops up there out of business?

stop

dubscottie wrote: »

Noticed tonight that the old Centra at the top of Rathmines Road (at the corner near O'Briens off-licence) is going to be a Tesco Express!

Absolute madness as they have a store 500 yards (if that) down the road.

Are they trying to put all the small shops up there out of business?

Interesting to see that the Spar on Rathgar road (the other end of Frankfort from where Centra was) went at the same time.

diff357

Also, Spar on Forsters Avenue, just after Christmas

HavingCrack

diff357 wrote: »

Also, Spar on Forsters Avenue, just after Christmas

They had problems for quite some time as I recall.

zagmund

The takeaway on the Rock Road at the end of Booterstown Avenue was closed when I passed by recently on a Friday evening. We used to go there on occasion (and before when it was an Italian) when we lived nearby. It was handy because there aren't too many places nearby that you could walk to apart from the pubs in the Booterstown area, although I gather that most of the business was takeaway rather than sit down.

z

EricPraline

zagmund wrote: »

The takeaway on the Rock Road at the end of Booterstown Avenue was closed when I passed by recently on a Friday evening. We used to go there on occasion (and before when it was an Italian) when we lived nearby. It was handy because there aren't too many places nearby that you could walk to apart from the pubs in the Booterstown area, although I gather that most of the business was takeaway rather than sit down.

Don't think the closure was recession-related, but more to do with the Food Safety Authority:

http://www.fsai.ie/news_centre/press_releases/four_enforcement_orders_served_in_January/08/02/2012.html

On the positive side, I've noticed a few new shops in Blackrock recently. An interesting design store called Lost Weekend, and a new wine shop where Oddbins used to be located.

The_Wrecker

Dalkey bookshop closes today.

zagmund

Interesting about Jai Ho - thanks for that.

The missus loves Lost Weekend. She could spend hours in there, whereas I could only survive there for a few minutes due to the prices making my eyes water. I don't know how official it is, but they have a commercial coffee machine (like, a good one) down the back and can magic up a great cup of coffee while you are there. It makes a change from the usual cafes and the view out the back window is hard to beat.

I meant to comment about the new off licence there too - I saw them getting stock ready a few weeks back, and we got a flyer in the door this week saying they are open. I'll drop in today and see how it's going.

Now that I think about it, the Chinese & Italian places at the crossroads there in the middle of Blackrock have changed places. The Italian is now open from (I think) 1200 till (I think) 2200 for takeaway or sit down. Because they are linked to the chipper next door you can actually get a good mix of stuff there - fish and chips for one, pizza/pasta/etc . . . for the other. We've dropped in a few times now - it's very handy.

z

EricPraline wrote: »

Don't think the closure was recession-related, but more to do with the Food Safety Authority:

http://www.fsai.ie/news_centre/press_releases/four_enforcement_orders_served_in_January/08/02/2012.html

On the positive side, I've noticed a few new shops in Blackrock recently. An interesting design store called Lost Weekend, and a new wine shop where Oddbins used to be located.

EricPraline

zagmund wrote: »

I don't know how official it is, but they have a commercial coffee machine (like, a good one) down the back and can magic up a great cup of coffee while you are there. It makes a change from the usual cafes and the view out the back window is hard to beat.

Thanks for the tip, didn't spot the coffee machine. I liked the furniture on my first and only visit there, but was even more taken by the superb sea views. I'd happily stand there with a coffee for a while

annieoburns

Flanagan's of Buncrana outlet in Mount Merrion.... gone.

Juice bar in St Vincents Hospital... gone, replaced by another coffee shop making three on main floor.

The_Wrecker

Imginarium on Georges st is gone.

HavingCrack

TGI Fridays and the Dante restuarant are both gone from the old Playwright site on Newtownpark Avenue if anyone didn't know.

New coffee shop called Siopa agus Cuppa has opened up in Blackrock in the Ardagh Estate, think it was mentioned on the George Hook show. It has some of the best coffee I've ever tasted and the nicest owners going. It's also very cheap-Americano for 1.50, pretty decent in the price stakes.

sandin

HavingCrack wrote: »

TGI Fridays and the Dante restuarant are both gone from the old Playwright site on Newtownpark Avenue if anyone didn't know.

.

Long gone - planning for convenience supermarket being sought (Tesco express probably)

annieoburns

New Lidl in Nutgrove located behind/alongside the firestation is due to open on May 17th.

rubadub

In dun laoghaire closed
country cellar (health food shop on patricks street)
Knowles electric (near library)
Lido Cafe (chipper just off main street)

All these were there as long as I can remember.

Luckycharm

The one I was surprised to see closed the Spar in Rathmines beside Military road, I think it was one of the first 24 hour shops in the country it is right beside ST Marys College.

SerialComplaint

Luckycharm wrote: »

The one I was surprised to see closed the Spar in Rathmines beside Military road, I think it was one of the first 24 hour shops in the country it is right beside ST Marys College.

Yeah, I remember my brother being sent down to buy Paracetemol for me one Christmas night - about 1981 I think. He was amazed to see other people waiting in the 30 minute queue to buy two packets of crisps.

annieoburns

New Costa Coffee outlet located just inside the Ormonde Cinema in Stillorgan. Handy if you are over that side of the road or meeting someone for pictures.

Fratton Fred

Nosh has gone from Dalkey.

patrickbrophy18

Speaking of Dalkey, I just heard that an Eddie Rockets is rumored to be opening up where Don Giovanni's (and briefly Pecorino) used to be.

ted1

patrickbrophy18 wrote: »

Speaking of Dalkey, I just heard that an Eddie Rockets is rumored to be opening up where Don Giovanni's (and briefly Pecorino) used to be.

I hope they don't best thing about Dalkey is lack of chains, excl Eurospar.

annieoburns

Friarsland Gym and nearby UCD Crunch Fitness are closed.

The_Wrecker

patrickbrophy18 wrote: »

Speaking of Dalkey, I just heard that an Eddie Rockets is rumored to be opening up where Don Giovanni's (and briefly Pecorino) used to be.

Good old Dons, my Favourite spot for many years. I hope Rockets is just a rumour.

Praetorian Saighdiuir

The_Wrecker wrote: »

Good old Dons, my Favourite spot for many years. I hope Rockets is just a rumour.

Unfortunately I cant say the same about Dons. i ate there 4 times, each time was brutal. Im not surprised its gone.

I highly doubt that Eddie Rockets will open up, sure the hassle the other shop owners gave Starbucks was unreal. They drove them out of Dalkey. ER will never open up there..........."ruins the look and feel of our quaint picturesque village"....as quoted to me by a shop owner about SB.

patrickbrophy18

I guess only time will tell. At the moment it is just here-say. Another rumor going around is that "Don's" might be turned into a bistro. Having said that, I do find it a tad unnecessary to be discouraging chains in Dalkey given that it already has Topaz, Eurospar* and Paddy Power's.

Most of the resistance towards Starbucks was motivated by xenophobia towards the US which negates the credibility of such resistance. Using the village's heritage as a smoke screen or excuse for xenophobia paints a very backward picture of Ireland.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. The Bedroom Studio is closing down while Nosh ceased trading a few days ago. The confectionery shop beside The Post Office has been closed for a while and also The Castle Chinese Restaurant (formerly 7/11).

The Book Exchange in Dalkey has been closed for nearly a month now. In my opinion, this is a golden opportunity for a much needed expansion for The Country Bake given that it is right next door.

Contrary to what many people may believe, the Library in Dalkey as well as those in many other parts of the Dun Laoghaire borough are closed for refurbishment NOT for good. Terrible timing given that Junior and Leaving Certs are around the corner as well as many college exams.

*: Eurospar is currently undergoing a massive expansion project which will involve a radical change to the layout. At the moment, the former Gemma's Newsagent is being gutted so that it can be merged with Eurospar.

ted1

Starbucks isn't nice and its not down to xenophobia, its down to people supporting the charm and quaintness of sole traders and encouraging local buisness. Every main street in Europe are now clones and offer no character. Small villages like dalkey need to.keep their USP. If they lose that then they will lose a lot of business. I for one enjoy nothing better than relaxing in the queens, select stores, the tramyard or mugs. If they were chains I'd have no reason to go to dalkey.

rubadub

benwavner wrote: »

"ruins the look and feel of our quaint picturesque village"..

They can have more discreet setups.

Like starbucks blackrock


McDonalds in bray


I wouldn't mind a discreet eddie rockets, esp. if it got a beer licence like a few seem to have gotten, probably more likely to get one in dalkey too.

Fratton Fred

patrickbrophy18 wrote: »

I guess only time will tell. At the moment it is just here-say. Another rumor going around is that "Don's" might be turned into a bistro. Having said that, I do find it a tad unnecessary to be discouraging chains in Dalkey given that it already has Topaz, Eurospar* and Paddy Power's.

Most of the resistance towards Starbucks was motivated by xenophobia towards the US which negates the credibility of such resistance. Using the village's heritage as a smoke screen or excuse for xenophobia paints a very backward picture of Ireland.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. The Bedroom Studio is closing down while Nosh ceased trading a few days ago. The confectionery shop beside The Post Office has been closed for a while and also The Castle Chinese Restaurant (formerly 7/11).

The Book Exchange in Dalkey has been closed for nearly a month now. In my opinion, this is a golden opportunity for a much needed expansion for The Country Bake given that it is right next door.

Contrary to what many people may believe, the Library in Dalkey as well as those in many other parts of the Dun Laoghaire borough are closed for refurbishment NOT for good. Terrible timing given that Junior and Leaving Certs are around the corner as well as many college exams.

*: Eurospar is currently undergoing a massive expansion project which will involve a radical change to the layout. At the moment, the former Gemma's Newsagent is being gutted so that it can be merged with Eurospar.

the owner of the book exchange has retired, which is why it has closed. I believe he owns the freehold on the shop so it is, I believe, his pension.

ted1

rubadub wrote: »

They can have more discreet setups.

Like starbucks blackrock


McDonalds in bray


I wouldn't mind a discreet eddie rockets, esp. if it got a beer licence like a few seem to have gotten, probably more likely to get one in dalkey too.

sorry don't buy it. theres a place for everthing, and One of Dublin prettiest villages doesn't need large franchises. If they start moving in then there would be no reason to go to Dalkey, yo coudl go to any shopping centre or any other village to get the same things.

Anyone

ted1 wrote: »

sorry don't buy it. theres a place for everthing, and One of Dublin prettiest villages doesn't need large franchises. If they start moving in then there would be no reason to go to Dalkey, yo coudl go to any shopping centre or any other village to get the same things.

What if the alternative is empty/vacant buildings? Every business in Dalkey is suffering and a street where there is an empty shop every 50 meters will affect them even more.

Just to give an idea of the franchise/brand names already in Dalkey. Paddypower,O'Briens,Borza,Sherry Fitz,AIB,Euro Spar, EBS, Ulster Bank, Topaz. So theres already plenty there, and I dont think they "spoil" the feel of Dalkey.

homer911

Jamie Oliver opening in Dundrum - job vacancies here: http://www.jamieoliver.com/italian/ireland/vacancies

ted1

Anyone wrote: »

What if the alternative is empty/vacant buildings? Every business in Dalkey is suffering and a street where there is an empty shop every 50 meters will affect them even more.

Just to give an idea of the franchise/brand names already in Dalkey. Paddypower,O'Briens,Borza,Sherry Fitz,AIB,Euro Spar, EBS, Ulster Bank, Topaz. So theres already plenty there, and I dont think they "spoil" the feel of Dalkey.

lets remove the banks. Topaz is off the main street so remove them, Borza isnt a franchise or large multiple so remove that.

now your left with a shop, off licence and bookie and estate agents.

Paddypower,O'Briens,Sherry Fitz,Euro Spar,

Eddie rockets, starbucks etc don't fall into any of the categories that the ones listed above do.

Anyone

ted1 wrote: »

lets remove the banks. Topaz is off the main street so remove them, Borza isnt a franchise or large multiple so remove that.

now your left with a shop, off licence and bookie and estate agents.

Paddypower,O'Briens,Sherry Fitz,Euro Spar,

Eddie rockets, starbucks etc don't fall into any of the categories that the ones listed above do.

Hang on, why exclude them? They are all franchise's and chains. You neglected to comment on my first point as well. That Dalkey currently has an excess of vacant and empty shops. The longer they are empty, the worse things will get.

Dalkey's location is against it, you dont pass through Dalkey to go anywhere, so unless there are shops/pubs/restaurants to get people to visit Dalkey more shops will close.

ted1

there excluded by the nature of the business...

having franchises will do more damage to the village, as you said

Dalkey's location is against it, you dont pass through Dalkey to go anywhere, so unless there are shops/pubs/restaurants to get people to visit Dalkey more shops will close.

Dalkey is indeed a destination people go to by choice as oppose pass through, the fact that it has small shops that are not else where is what makes it a destination. if it had the same mix as other locations then the attration as a destination is removed.

RMC10

I just realised today that my favourite restaurant has closed . A staple in Monkstown for 20 years!

Does anyone have any idea why it closed? I was only there about a month ago and it was always busy even on a random mid-week night!

EricPraline

ted1 wrote: »

now your left with a shop, off licence and bookie and estate agents.

Paddypower,O'Briens,Sherry Fitz,Euro Spar,

Eddie rockets, starbucks etc don't fall into any of the categories that the ones listed above do.

Sorry, but I fail to see the difference between the two lists. Is an Irish bookmakers a more desirable or up-scale business than an international fast food outlet?

Paddypower and Eurospar outlets represent the height of generic high-street and small town mediocrity in Ireland. I've rarely seen either company make reasonable attempts to make their outlets blend in with the surrounding streetscape. O'Briens chain of wineshops don't exactly have a "local" feel to them either - far better examples of real local wineshops in Ranelagh and Monkstown.

ted1

RMC10 wrote: »

I just realised today that my favourite restaurant has closed . A staple in Monkstown for 20 years!

Does anyone have any idea why it closed? I was only there about a month ago and it was always busy even on a random mid-week night!

They lost to much buisness to salt/avoca and were forced to close.

zagmund

Speaking of Monkstown, there's a new 'garden' shop down where the equipment hire place was, just at the end of the string of shops heading towards DL. It was closed when I passed by the other evening. They get bonus points for flying Leinster flags.

It's called Howbert & Mays. Their website is here - http://www.dyg.ie

z

DazMarz

Palmer's Golden Ball Tavern in Kilternan closed its doors for the last time on Sunday night... a sad day for the whole area. The Golden Ball had experienced a renaissance in recent times, becoming a thriving music venue, with Aslan and Bagatelle being live staples.

However, this was not enough to save the Golden Ball, as it entered receivership at the behest of a foreign bank and was closed down.

RIP Palmers Golden Ball Tavern...:(

patrickbrophy18

DazMarz wrote: »

Palmer's Golden Ball Tavern in Kilternan closed its doors for the last time on Sunday night... a sad day for the whole area. The Golden Ball had experienced a renaissance in recent times, becoming a thriving music venue, with Aslan and Bagatelle being live staples.

However, this was not enough to save the Golden Ball, as it entered receivership at the behest of a foreign bank and was closed down.

RIP Palmers Golden Ball Tavern...:(

No way! I remember I used to go to Palmer's Golden Ball (Then Coopers) around the Christmas period for their American Rack Of Ribs when I was small as a treat after walking the mountains. Despite living in Dalkey, I will always treasure my memories of Palmer's.

zagmund

I remember dropping into Golden Ball for a warmer-upper after a hearty Christmas period walk up the mountains as well.

Incidentally, it seems that Lost Weekend in Blackrock has gone into receivership. They were mentioned earlier in the thread as an opening I think.

z

Praetorian Saighdiuir

ted1 wrote: »

Dalkey is indeed a destination people go to by choice as oppose pass through, the fact that it has small shops that are not else where is what makes it a destination. if it had the same mix as other locations then the attration as a destination is removed.

The only thing that lures me to Dalkey is Country Bake and thats it. I used to go to Starbucks and The Castle when they were there. I drive through it regularly, but there is nothing there that warrants me to park and shop.

Your idea of Dalkey as a "destination" is laughable. What exactly makes it a destination? There are other small towns with various non chain businesses that I would rather go to. Dalkey is overrated, but thats just my opinion.

ted1

benwavner wrote: »

The only thing that lures me to Dalkey is Country Bake and thats it. I used to go to Starbucks and The Castle when they were there. I drive through it regularly, but there is nothing there that warrants me to park and shop.

Your idea of Dalkey as a "destination" is laughable. What exactly makes it a destination? There are other small towns with various non chain businesses that I would rather go to. Dalkey is overrated, but thats just my opinion.

we'll just have to agree to differ. For me and my social circle, there is a great draw to dalkey.

patrickbrophy18

The following two quotes say it all:

1. Anyone wrote: »

   Hang on, why exclude them? They are all franchise's and chains. You neglected to comment on my first point as well. That Dalkey currently has an excess of vacant and empty shops. The longer they are empty, the worse things will get.Dalkey's location is against it, you dont pass through Dalkey to go anywhere, so unless there are shops/pubs/restaurants to get people to visit Dalkey more shops will close.

2. benwavner wrote: »

   The only thing that lures me to Dalkey is Country Bake and thats it. I used to go to Starbucks and The Castle when they were there. I drive through it regularly, but there is nothing there that warrants me to park and shop. Your idea of Dalkey as a "destination" is laughable. What exactly makes it a destination? There are other small towns with various non chain businesses that I would rather go to. Dalkey is overrated, but thats just my opinion.

As Anyone just pointed out, Dalkey is not a location on the way to anywhere nor is it a hub. Dalkey is an example of a town that is rapidly dying with the increasing number of vacant retail units. I do appreciate local organizations such as the Dalkey Business Group trying to create a common brand for the businesses in the village core. However, a lot the information they often convey is a re-iteration of what is already known about the area. While I frequently enjoy and am lucky to live near the various amenities in Dalkey, I don't think they give people a proper incentive to go to the town. To put it another way, Dalkey isn't a place where many would do all their shopping or spend any longer than an hour at.

I completely agree with benwavner that "Dalkey is overrated". As a long living Dalkey resident myself, I think the area is extremely mundane. Each time I walk through Dalkey, it's the same old place and becomes very repetitive like Groundhog Day. Even when a retail unit undergoes a massive change, the novelty wears off after a couple of months. In fact, Dalkey has become very stale. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council certainly aren't helping with their over policing of parking arrangements, architectural conservation areas, traffic calming measures etc. The main roads which feed into Dalkey are an absolute joke because a lot of them are too tight and not forgetting the recent job done to Killiney Towers Roundabout.

Praetorian Saighdiuir

ted1 wrote: »

we'll just have to agree to differ. For me and my social circle, there is a great draw to dalkey.

Dont get me wrong, Im not out to slate Dalkey. My father hails from there and I have relations in Dalkey whom I regularly spend time with. Im there at least every two weeks. I live less than 3 miles away myself. I drink there every now and again and my social circle also frequent the area.

My stance is that, in fact it is not a destination. Parking is an issue and also there is nothing there to bring people into the area. Unfortunately for me, the area gives off an aura of "look at me im in Dalkey, im up my own ass" instead of "lets go to Dalkey, it has a quaint laid back relaxing atmosphere, lets visit their many epicurean establishments".

I just wish it was as good in reality as it is in ideals.


Oh, Centra has re opened on Johnstown Road.

zagmund

Can we leave the Dalkey rocks/Dalkey sucks debate for a different thread and stick with the title - openings & closings in South Dublin ? It was a handy thread when it focused on this area.

z

Fratton Fred

Does anyone know when the Killiney Hill tea room will be opening?

Fair play to the guys building it, they have managed to cram six weeks work into six months.

highly1111

Marley wine shop has unfortunately closed on the grange road in rathfarnham - it was excellent but no doubt just couldn't complete with the deals offered by centra and lidl.

Apparently a large home store and more is going in beside the new lidl on nutgrove avenue - where homebase used to be.

ScottSF

Dalkey has a lot of tourist potential as the Dalkey Castle offers a wonderful small-castle authentic and historical tour. I always recommend it as a fun outing by Dart for visitors to Dublin.

If the town had a bit more to offer and maintained a quaint and unique main/high street (fewer chain stores), it will attract more tourists. I also believe some people head there hoping to catch a glimpse of its famous residents like Bono

The_Wrecker

AutoFair Kill ave moving their display cars out this afternoon, premises empty by evening.