What Business Would You Open in Ennis?

Clareman

Spawning from another thread, there seems to be a lot of interest in a lot of different types of shops/businesses to open in Ennis, so I thought why not have a thread dedicated to your ideas.

Like good teachers I think constructive feedback that can lead to discussion will be welcomed, so for example you want to open a record shop, someone saying "That's a stupid idea you idiot, HMV can't survive how are you going to survive" will result in a ban, saying something like "In this day and age large multi-nationals like HMV can't survive, how do you think a small shop in Ennis will?"

Lady Chatterton

I'd open an Undertaking business as there are only two at present in Ennis - Daly's and Kennedy's. There is easily enough business for another one.

Clareman

J@ysus Mrs, I might have expected flowers or something, but undertaking?

There are 4 mortuaries in town and another Undertaker has been opened up in Kilmaley by the guy who's running the pub, but it's a business which people will be dying to give you their custom.

Lady Chatterton

I'm very practical, there are more than enough good florists in Ennis, we don't need anymore.

There are only two Undertakers situated in Ennis town though. The problem with undertaking is that people tend to use the same Undertaker for generations. Like Kilmaley people always seemed to favour Kennedy's over Daly's. If I was starting up, I'd also offer people a nice room where Humanist Ceremonies could take place, I think that they will catch on.

maiden

A cheap charger shop! Everyone is always looking for chargers whether its for mobiles, cameras, laptops, etc

Mobile wheelie bin cleaning unit! My bin badly needs to be cleaned and I'm sure others do too

My fav would be death scene cleaning, always a Market for it and I could go into business with mrs D as she would be in the know with her undertaking business

I think there is also a gap for a customer service office, can't take the day off work to get your car ntc'd etc, don't worry we will collect it and drop it back to ur office. Pick up ur dry cleaning no problem, water ur plants while ur away no problem

I could go on forever! And I still think a family restaurant is badly needed in the town centre, one where kids are welcomed and a menu to cater for them in a relaxed atmosphere

poppyvally

Clareman wrote: »

Spawning from another thread, there seems to be a lot of interest in a lot of different types of shops/businesses to open in Ennis, so I thought why not have a thread dedicated to your ideas.

Like good teachers I think constructive feedback that can lead to discussion will be welcomed, so for example you want to open a record shop, someone saying "That's a stupid idea you idiot, HMV can't survive how are you going to survive" will result in a ban, saying something like "In this day and age large multi-nationals like HMV can't survive, how do you think a small shop in Ennis will?"

A pharmacy. There's another one Fennel's opened at the Heights,which I wish well. We have 14 pharmacies in Ennis & they all seem to be thriving

Carazy

A new nightclub. One that wont be blown out over a month like previous attempts.

Palmach

Clareman wrote: »

Spawning from another thread, there seems to be a lot of interest in a lot of different types of shops/businesses to open in Ennis, so I thought why not have a thread dedicated to your ideas.

Like good teachers I think constructive feedback that can lead to discussion will be welcomed, so for example you want to open a record shop, someone saying "That's a stupid idea you idiot, HMV can't survive how are you going to survive" will result in a ban, saying something like "In this day and age large multi-nationals like HMV can't survive, how do you think a small shop in Ennis will?"

If someone said they were going to open a record shop in Ennis or anywhere else for that matter "That's a stupid idea you idiot, HMV can't survive how are you going to survive" is exactly what most people would say to them.

John from ennis

MrsD007 wrote: »

I'm very practical, there are more than enough good florists in Ennis, we don't need anymore.

There are only two Undertakers situated in Ennis town though. The problem with undertaking is that people tend to use the same Undertaker for generations. Like Kilmaley people always seemed to favour Kennedy's over Daly's. If I was starting up, I'd also offer people a nice room where Humanist Ceremonies could take place, I think that they will catch on.

there is no Undertakertaker in Kilmaley?:)

Lady Chatterton

John from ennis wrote: »

there is no Undertakertaker in Kilmaley?:)

Clareman mentioned in his post that there is a new Undertaker in Kilmaley now, it's a recent thing. Most Kilmaley people I know would have used Kennedy's heretofore.

John from ennis

MrsD007 wrote: »

Clareman mentioned in his post that there is a new Undertaker in Kilmaley now, it's a recent thing. Most Kilmaley people I know would have used Kennedy's heretofore.

most kilmaley people i would know would use Either,an Ennis,ennistymon,Miltown Malbay Etc etc


people were buried long before paddy kennedy burried them.

nonsense to suggest people had to come to the county town to get burried/laid out.

Lady Chatterton

John from ennis wrote: »

nonsense to suggest people had to come to the county town to get burried/laid out.

Ah, I'm not saying that for a second! However, from my experience those that did come to Ennis, usually chose Kennedy's over Daly's for some reason. Maybe Paddy or his auld lad had a Kilmaley connection.

Undertaking has always been about tradition and families tend to be loyal to one particular Undertaker from one generation to next. However, given the cost of funerals these days, I'd say that it will change.

It's not a business for everyone but I reckon you could make a decent living from it all the same.

Clareman

A lot of families will have "their" Undertakers, if your people always used Kennedy's by gawd you'll use Kennedy's, if they used Daly's you use Daly's, I don't think it's just a Clare thing, I think it's more a country thing.

Article on the new Kilmaley Undertakers can be found here

John from ennis

MrsD007 wrote: »

Ah, I'm not saying that for a second! However, from my experience those that did come to Ennis, usually chose Kennedy's over Daly's for some reason. Maybe Paddy or his auld lad had a Kilmaley connection.

Undertaking has always been about tradition and families tend to be loyal to one particular Undertaker from one generation to next. However, given the cost of funerals these days, I'd say that it will change.

It's not a business for everyone but I reckon you could make a decent living from it all the same.

Mrsd,

how many posters in this forum know of a funeral director(in clare),that lives of funerals alone(:D no pun intended,read on.)
anyone i know,and i know directors in clare,have another income. if your to survive in the funeral director business alone,you wont last long,you need another income,and the cost of dying and being burried is not cheap,never has been,never mind your comment "the cost of funerals these days"

BTW people chose to get their relatives buried by one Funeral director over another for numerous reasons,we are now getting into the ridiculous here.

Lady Chatterton

John from ennis wrote: »

we are now getting into the ridiculous here.

I agree, lets get the thread back on track so, have you any suggestions for Clareman on a business that might work in Ennis?

Balagan

Good luck to people who have enough money to consider opening up a business in Ennis. Myself and the majority of people I know are just barely hanging in there and those among us who have businesses are mostly pale and quiet and tired. And if I had the money and a serious idea for a good business I don't think I would be posting about it here!

There's a Soup Kitchen in the planning for Ennis and depressing as that thought is, it will be a boon for the growing numbers who are badly in need of it.

Shapey Fiend

We're pretty well served in terms of retail. That's why when I see a few empty shop units I'm sort of surprised there aren't more. I do all my music shopping online. Can see that happening increasingly in the next decade as people get more accustomed to the idea and the demographics change.

The Record Rack definitely had the right idea becoming The Irish Shop. I'd nearly say there was room for a second one of those if the tourist numbers improved a smidge.

I was watching a documentary about pinball the other day and the guy was explaining in the past people ate at home and went out for entertainment. Now they consume their entertainment at home and go out to eat. Restaurants seem to still be doing well. And fast food. I'd probably open up something in that area. Maybe fancy burgers or southern friend chicken. I find that idea of pricey fast food kind of boring myself but there's a big audience for it in Dublin.

Phone shop selling chargers and cheapo chinese android phones could be a goer. I think the problem with that area is it's hard to eke out an existence when you're not an official Meteor, 02, Vodaphone shop or whatever. The moneys in the contracts and you don't get margin on them.

Carazy

John from ennis wrote: »

we are now getting into the ridiculous here.

Yes you were

John from ennis wrote: »

there is no Undertakertaker in Kilmaley?:)

Yes there is

finbarrk

I think it's a Funeral Home that's there. Not an Undertaker.

muggles

Ok. There IS an undertaker AND a funeral home in Kilmaley. It was opened by PJ Murphy towards the end if last year. It is located alongside Kilmaley Inn. So far, no removal has taken place from the funeral home. A funeral did take place recently where PJ did the removal but it was from Inch church.

As stated by another poster, most locals tend to use Kennedys. Not all, but most. Ennis would be first port of call for an undertaker, maybe Miltown if located on the far west side of Connolly or Ennistymon if on the Crows Bridge side but in general it's not the norm, Ennis is.

Now that's all settled, maybe Clareman might get his few business ideas. :D

Clareman

muggles wrote: »

maybe Clareman might get his few business ideas. :D

I've a CCNA, MCSE, NCSA, DCSE, ESF2 and even a IBM CSE, throw in Prince, Six Sigma and ITIL as well as 2 Golden Spider Awards, I don't need business ideas, don't worry

CptSternn

MCSE? So what your saying is all of your certs are out of date. MCITP is the new MS standard and it's been that way for years sure.

Also, Golden Spider awards are not worth <Mod Snip>

Lady Chatterton

Please only post in this thread if you want to discuss or answer the original question, which was -

'What Business Would You Open in Ennis'?

willow tree

I know there was a driving range years ago but I'd like one in ennis.

Shapey Fiend

Hehe. It's true they gave out Golden Spider Awards to anything though. I'm pretty sure i got one in the 90's for a website i built with frames.

Zeek12

Clareman wrote: »

Like good teachers I think constructive feedback that can lead to discussion will be welcomed, so for example you want to open a record shop, someone saying "That's a stupid idea you idiot, HMV can't survive how are you going to survive" will result in a ban, saying something like "In this day and age large multi-nationals like HMV can't survive, how do you think a small shop in Ennis will?"

It remains to be seen if it's the end of HMV in Limerick and elsewhere, but if it is, you could argue this is actually the best time in several years to open a record store in Ennis. But it would need to be cleverly thought out, and would have to offer something different to succeed; your run-of-the-mill CD store of old just won't cut it anymore. "Old school" music customers - by which I mean those who still prefer to buy the physical product - have not disappeared completely. It's a niche market for sure, but a market that still exists. In fact vinyl sales have been increasing steadily in the last few years, which really bucks the notion that nobody wants to buy the physical albums anymore.

Personally I think some small independant music stores can still succeed if they focus on, and are really good at those things the download sites and Amazon don't really offer, or don't do very well, for example:

• the experience of browsing through records in a friendly local store

• a good standard of personable one-to-one customer service

• catering to niche areas, like selling vinyl, maybe stocking unusual "non-chart" music genres, or selling decent music magazines and journalism

• offering a convenient and good standard 2nd hand trade-in service

CptSternn

Zeek12 wrote: »

It remains to be seen if it's the end of HMV in Limerick and elsewhere, but if it is, you could argue this is actually the best time in several years to open a record store in Ennis. But it would need to be cleverly thought out, and would have to offer something different to succeed; your run-of-the-mill CD store of old just won't cut it anymore. "Old school" music customers - by which I mean those who still prefer to buy the physical product - have not disappeared completely. It's a niche market for sure, but a market that still exists. In fact vinyl sales have been increasing steadily in the last few years, which really bucks the notion that nobody wants to buy the physical albums anymore.

Personally I think some small independant music stores can still succeed if they focus on, and are really good at those things the download sites and Amazon don't really offer, or don't do very well, for example:

• the experience of browsing through records in a friendly local store

• a good standard of personable one-to-one customer service

• catering to niche areas, like selling vinyl, maybe stocking unusual "non-chart" music genres, or selling decent music magazines and journalism

• offering a convenient and good standard 2nd hand trade-in service

They tried that already. Fear And Clothing, that was right above the old Record Rack opened for about a year, then closed due to lack of customers last summer.

They had a large selection of vinyl from alternative/obscure artists and a good selection of clothing you can't find anywhere (punk/goth/alternative/metal).

A majority of the business they did ended up being online, but alas, even that wasn't enough to cover the costs of running a business in Ennis (rates are a business killer).

Zeek12

CptSternn wrote: »

They tried that already. Fear And Clothing, that was right above the old Record Rack opened for about a year, then closed due to lack of customers last summer.

They had a large selection of vinyl from alternative/obscure artists and a good selection of clothing you can't find anywhere (punk/goth/alternative/metal).

A majority of the business they did ended up being online, but alas, even that wasn't enough to cover the costs of running a business in Ennis (rates are a business killer).

Thats a shame. Never actually made it in there myself. Tbh I've avoided that store ever since Record rack changed and became more of a tourist-oriented outlet than a record store! I wonder if that location worked against Fear and Clothing?
But there's one potential big difference now since they closed - if HMV does'nt survive in Limerick, there won't really be a substantial record store at all in the immediate Limerick/Clare region, so it could be a good opportunity. I guess its debatable whether Ennis could sustain a store of this kind. I could definitely see some opening in Limerick.

Completely agree with you on the rates issue. They are really prohibitive to business and job creation.:(

maiden

Balagan wrote: »

Good luck to people who have enough money to consider opening up a business in Ennis. Myself and the majority of people I know are just barely hanging in there and those among us who have businesses are mostly pale and quiet and tired. And if I had the money and a serious idea for a good business I don't think I would be posting about it here!

I met a guy yesterday who has his own business in town and his lease is up in 4 months and he will be closing his business. He said after rent and rates, he has nothing let. If he at least made a wage for himself he would keep it open but but alas he cant, such a shame

bain_triail_as

A tuition school in one of the empty shops.
One I pass by in UK seems popular.
http://www.explorelearning.org.uk/vebo/emersonsgreen

CptSternn

maiden wrote: »

I met a guy yesterday who has his own business in town and his lease is up in 4 months and he will be closing his business. He said after rent and rates, he has nothing let. If he at least made a wage for himself he would keep it open but but alas he cant, such a shame

It's actually worse than that. I had a mate who had the same thing happen. He closed up shop here in town, filed for bankruptcy, an then found out due to this he can't sign on for two years or something like that.

The moral of this story is - if you try and fail...you must then immigrate as the government will cut you off from all social services as further punishment.

Clareman

CptSternn wrote: »

It's actually worse than that. I had a mate who had the same thing happen. He closed up shop here in town, filed for bankruptcy, an then found out due to this he can't sign on for two years or something like that.

The moral of this story is - if you try and fail...you must then immigrate as the government will cut you off from all social services as further punishment.

I don't think bankruptcy works like that, when you "sign on" first you sign on first you claim off the taxes you have been paying, self employed people get shockingly poor "dole" payments as they aren't PRSI payers

MyPeopleDrankTheSoup

What did you win the Golden Spiders for Clareman? I tried stalking your boards posts to figure it out but you've too many!

What I'd love in Ennis is a good Burrito bar like Boojum or Pablo Piccante's in Dublin. It's assembly line production so doesn't look that expensive to run and I'm sure students would love it. But seeing as Galway nor Limerick have a good spot, I can't see one coming to Ennis.

Clareman

It was a hotel site that had full booking capabilities, it was in the late 90s when I got it, in fact I believe http://gulliver.ie/ still uses some of the code I used

glineli

A good diner, like the Sherwood set up but in the town. Amazes me that the Sherwood is always packed, there must be room for another diner, like Mickey D's.

I think a restaurant quarter would be a good idea. If you could pick down Parnell St for example, and put a roof between the buildings, you could use it all year round. Crazy idea but a lot of Cities in Europe have this done now

glineli

willow tree wrote: »

I know there was a driving range years ago but I'd like one in ennis.

Great idea. Where was the old range?

13spanner

Would an Argos keep afloat in Ennis? Off the top of my head that's what I'd try. Granted Limerick is only an hour away...

MyPeopleDrankTheSoup

glineli wrote: »

A good diner, like the Sherwood set up but in the town. Amazes me that the Sherwood is always packed, there must be room for another diner, like Mickey D's.

Is the Sherwood not in town now?!

glineli wrote: »

Great idea. Where was the old range?

Out in Roslevan across from Fahy Hall, it's all Celtic Tiger housing estates now. That street had a population of about 50 when I was young, must be 150 houses there now.

13spanner wrote: »

Would an Argos keep afloat in Ennis?

No.

Clareman

glineli wrote: »

Great idea. Where was the old range?

It was out in Roslevan

willow tree

A place like McDonaghs in galway, really good fish & chips, reasonably priced, relaxed atmosphere..

willow tree

Clareman wrote: »

It was out in Roslevan

I was never in the old one but anything like sport/activity that can be done, even when its raining, seems like a good idea & the price would have to be reasonable. you'd need serious start up money though.

CollardGreens

Hello,
I am no where near that town but would like to share about opening two different businesses and my experience doing so here in a town (pop 20,000) in the States.

My Mother and I opened a toy/doll store and it ran for 25 years. We sold beautiful dolls from Europe and the States, collectors dolls mostly with human hair, they were just beautiful. We also sold beautiful play dolls, they were not the cheap plastic dolls but one a child would keep for years and hand down to their children. We sold beautiful pull toys from Greece, wooden trains from Sweden and it was great fun. When the internet came out we couldn't compete with the overhead by having a shop and having to pay the 2-3 employees. Customers would come in, have their child hold the dolls, pick one out then write the name down and go and order the doll on-line.

My Father had a printing business years ago before the new printers came out, of course the printers have gotten so fancy that people were doing their own printing at home so he closed the business.

Technology put both businesses out. I was considering opening a health food store back in 2007, glad I didn't because now I purchase my vitamins and health foods on-line myself and save half as much than buying at the local health food store.

What WOULD work? Become a hairdresser/barber, someone mentioned a restaurant, become a mechanic. Anything that you cannot get by the internet would probably be prosperous. It doesn't seem like you need another funeral home, lol

buck65

CollardGreens wrote: »

Hello,
I am no where near that town but would like to share about opening two different businesses and my experience doing so here in a town (pop 20,000) in the States.

My Mother and I opened a toy/doll store and it ran for 25 years. We sold beautiful dolls from Europe and the States, collectors dolls mostly with human hair, they were just beautiful. We also sold beautiful play dolls, they were not the cheap plastic dolls but one a child would keep for years and hand down to their children. We sold beautiful pull toys from Greece, wooden trains from Sweden and it was great fun. When the internet came out we couldn't compete with the overhead by having a shop and having to pay the 2-3 employees. Customers would come in, have their child hold the dolls, pick one out then write the name down and go and order the doll on-line.

My Father had a printing business years ago before the new printers came out, of course the printers have gotten so fancy that people were doing their own printing at home so he closed the business.

Technology put both businesses out. I was considering opening a health food store back in 2007, glad I didn't because now I purchase my vitamins and health foods on-line myself and save half as much than buying at the local health food store.

What WOULD work? Become a hairdresser/barber, someone mentioned a restaurant, become a mechanic. Anything that you cannot get by the internet would probably be prosperous. It doesn't seem like you need another funeral home, lol

You can hardly complain about customers of yours buying online so I suppose?

buck65

13spanner wrote: »

Would an Argos keep afloat in Ennis? Off the top of my head that's what I'd try. Granted Limerick is only an hour away...

Argos had been part of the Tesco bid to relocate at Lynch's roundabout. Also Atlantic homecare and Harvey Nicholls. I have this from a fairly reliable source that worked for one of the above at the time.
He suspects that Tesco are the only ones still interested.

Shapey Fiend

Re: the record shop suggestion I see the future of that kind of thing being on a voluntary basis like Wingnut in Galway or Waterford. It's not a profit making exercise, a shop owner/arts center donate some space and someone else comes in and stocks it occasionally with Irish independent releases and the artists get 100pc of the profit. You could have a stand of CD's or vinyl in Glor for instance.

Even then I don't know if it's going to last. Selling vinyl at gigs is viable but postage costs generally make selling it at record shops a loss making enterprise.

CollardGreens

You can hardly complain about customers of yours buying online so I suppose?

@buck65 ~

You are correct, I didn't have any idea at that time how cheap it was to order on-line , hence I'm glad that I didn't open a store and it was just an idea like stated.

Did you take the time to read the ideas as to what might would work?

Do you have any ideas as to what might work or was your post just to find criticism in my post when I was trying to help by sharing my experience replying to the OP?

glineli

georgiecasey wrote: »

Is the Sherwood not in town now?!

Its in town but i mean slap bang in the middle, like just off abbey or parnell st.

buck65

CollardGreens wrote: »

@buck65 ~

You are correct, I didn't have any idea at that time how cheap it was to order on-line , hence I'm glad that I didn't open a store and it was just an idea like stated.

Did you take the time to read the ideas as to what might would work?

Do you have any ideas as to what might work or was your post just to find criticism in my post when I was trying to help by sharing my experience replying to the OP?

Yes I took time to read the ideas that might work. There aren't alot, in fairness it is difficult to come up with them these days.

What I think that might work are ideas I implement as frequently as I can afford to in my own business. Some have worked and some have not. But I keep trying nonetheless.

Just because the health store down the road was expensive compared to where you buy online doesn't mean you couldn't make such a business work. Maybe the margins are too high. Perhaps you could run a leaner business?

Should we all just give up and let the internet supply everything to everyone? Why not set up a website with a shop as well. Personally when I visit a health store I like to get advice, same as customers that visit my business do and why we are staying ahead of the internet and the big box stores - for the moment.

Not everything is price related, service knowledge and ease of purchase counts for alot too.

Lady Chatterton

I agree with Buck65, sometimes it is well worth paying a little extra to speak to someone who is knowledgeable and can advise you on purchases, in the long run you can save yourself money by buying products that actually suit you.

I found a brilliant health food store a couple of years ago - I'm a big fan of 'The Health Connection' in the Turnpike, the owner really knows her stuff (I believe she is a qualified nutritionist), she takes time to listen to her customers and seems genuinely interested in helping them and providing products that meet their needs. (BTW, I've no connection with this store or its owner other than being a satisfied customer).

CollardGreens

Just because the health store down the road was expensive compared to where you buy online doesn't mean you couldn't make such a business work. Maybe the margins are too high. Perhaps you could run a leaner business?

Should we all just give up and let the internet supply everything to everyone? Why not set up a website with a shop as well. Personally when I visit a health store I like to get advice, same as customers that visit my business do and why we are staying ahead of the internet and the big box stores - for the moment.

Not everything is price related, service knowledge and ease of purchase counts for alot too.

Thank you for the encouragement, at this stage with the new health care laws in the States and the new taxes it's a wait and see for most wanting to start a business but I still have the desire to open a health food store since it is a passion of mine. One of the items I purchase is DMSO, it's $13 USD on-line and $26 at the health food store locally, so a full 50% mark up. When I worked at the same health food store a few years ago people would come in and ask for advise like you said, but then they would take the advice and order on-line.

I'm just as guilty, look at Amazon, after looking into a device for my guns at the local sports store I came home and ordered the product on-line at Amazon and saved quite a bit. Everyone wants to save money ~ like everywhere else jobs in the States are hard to come by and most (like myself) can only find part time work.

Again, I agree with you about the service but when it comes down to food on the table or electricity then every bit of money counts. You are also correct in that my selections were few - I know a lot of the gentlemen at work are getting their wives to cut their hair so they don't have to pay a barber.

I think I pay repair people the most for their services like to fix my computer or car.

I wish you the best and thank you again.

Clareman

There used to be a great diner where the Zip Yard is now, only lasted a few months, but it was top notch. I'd like a Steak House that has more than 2 types of steak on the menu.

In regards to buying on line over in shops, I usually have a 10% rule, I will gladly pay the 10% extra to get someone local than have it shipped to me, having a new 1 in the family made me realise how much a markup a lot of places have, I got this on Amazon for ~€80 before Christmas, it would have cost me close to €200 with Mama's and Papa's or in Mothercare.