Churchtown stores up for sale

janja

Just heard that wonderful gem of a shop is up for sale , they are hoping it will be retained as a hardware store , but it could never be the same if it's changed at all. It's been there as long as I can remember as I was raised in Churchtown and has always been my 'saviour ' , it stocked EVERYTHING.

roroliam

Best of luck to the 3 brothers, enjoy the retirement. This would be a great investment, just retain the brilliant staff and carry on.

Buttercake

The gentrification of Churchtown is already in full effect with the Bottle Tower becoming a Taxidermist bar and Marsellas renaming themselves "The Chipmongers"


The churchtown stores was an institution but will probably become an overpriced Breakfast Cereal cafe

gunny123

Sorry to hear this, it was and hopefully will remain a proper no nonsense hardware shop. But i think some developer will buy the site for apartments, that is the way things are now, isn't it ?

Buttercake

Well known hardware store run by Flood brothers has been in operation since 1960s,now for sale for €950,000

Irish Times 17th Nov 2016

Surprised they didn't price it for €949,863.21

RobAMerc

Nothing to do with the gentrification of churchtown. The shop is full of locals replacing s light switch and old ladies looking for advice on batteries or flowers.

I was talking to one of the brothers in there a few weeks back. He told me he couldn't believe it wouldn't be kept exactly as it is. "It's a great little business" he told me. (May have thought me a potential buyer!) In fairness there is always a queue but most folks like me spend 2 or 3 euro a time. And often I think the lad serving was paid more to spend the 15 mins with me than I spend in the shop.
I will be devistated if this is goes though.

Buttercake

RobAMerc wrote: »

Nothing to do with the gentrification of churchtown. The shop is full of locals replacing s light switch and old ladies looking for advice on batteries or flowers.

I was talking to one of the brothers in there a few weeks back. He told me he couldn't believe it wouldn't be kept exactly as it is. "It's a great little business" he told me. (May have thought me a potential buyer!) In fairness there is always a queue but most folks like me spend 2 or 3 euro a time. And often I think the lad serving was paid more to spend the 15 mins with me than I spend in the shop.
I will be devistated if this is goes though.

Cant see it staying a hardware store with Homebase, Lidl, Aldi, Dealz, Mr Price and Argos down the road in Nutgrove.

Same happened to Mulveys in Dundrum (still around but they just sell floors). Merchant Meade in Ballyboden, the one in Rathfarnham Village too.

All old school hardware shops that offered great advice in their day but just couldnt survive with the big players arriving.

RobAMerc

I agree, it might make the lads a few bob but how much would it have to turn over to pay off the mortgage required to buy that place!

ncbf1038

Hello all
I have to say, I am in churchtown stores every week getting building supplies and paint etc, and it will be an absolute loss to the area as they really have everything and I know from my frequent visits that people aren't just buying Mickey Mouse things, the lads do well and they are by no means being pushed out by the likes of homebase or woodies as we all know these places are overpriced an seriously lack the knowledge this is why the brothers are in business for nearly 30 years and deserve to retire

janja

Just heard that Churchtown stores has been bought and will become a pub , I believe it's Comans of Rathgar bought it.

jeepcj

janja wrote: »

Just heard that Churchtown stores has been bought and will become a pub , I believe it's Comans of Rathgar bought it.

Their intentions are to turn it into a pub, but I'm sure that would need planning permission and all that

Buttercake

janja wrote: »

Just heard that Churchtown stores has been bought and will become a pub , I believe it's Comans of Rathgar bought it.

Jaysis that would be a huge job, not an ideal premises for a pub..

endacl

Feck. Where will I go now that will definitely

(a) know what I’m talking about,

and

(b) have it in stock?!?

endacl

janja wrote: »

Just heard that Churchtown stores has been bought and will become a pub , I believe it's Comans of Rathgar bought it.

Comans managed to royally balls up the businesses they had already. I’d say that can be taken with a large pinch of salt...

Buttercake

i thought the Colman family were gone from the pub game, Colmans Rathgar been closed for years

Buttercake

Pub there wouldnt work in that row unless they want the be like The Willows

Ned Led Zeppo

Buttercake wrote: »

Jaysis that would be a huge job, not an ideal premises for a pub..

Too small for a pub.

ncbf1038

Such a shame thou, churchtown stores will be sorely missed. No place like it and sure didn't they win best independent hardware in Ireland back in the Irish times a few years ago.
A hardware is needed as the likes of homebase around-the corner haven't a clue. But I believe this pub will make a go of things there. It is a good spot especially with the county club gone ,a good area an the shop is bigger then it looks. I've been in every corner of the place at this stage, wait till shelving is all gone we'd all be surprised with the size. Still sad thou

Buttercake

ncbf1038 wrote: »

A hardware is needed as the likes of homebase around-the corner haven't a clue.

not sure about this, many a local hardware store has suffered the same fate.. i remember merchant meade and mulveys were very similar to churchtown stores where you would get over the counter advice but the modern generation just look up youtube now for a fix or ask in a forum, then go to the Homebase or Woddies to get the items.

ncbf1038

Buttercake wrote: »

not sure about this, many a local hardware store has suffered the same fate.. i remember merchant meade and mulveys were very similar to churchtown stores where you would get over the counter advice but the modern generation just look up youtube now for a fix or ask in a forum, then go to the Homebase or Woddies to get the items.

I'm not sure i agree, some people are under the impression that church town stores is closing because of big stores around but the fact is they are a one of a kind and these big commercialised places have nothing on them,these places lack the knowledge, attitude and let's be honest the stock, over priced and Chadwick's has often even sent me to church town stores. there is no comparison checking online or YouTube. It's the advice you get here, oldschool is still appreciated, and wat good is it goin to woodies or homemade ,prices are thru the roof and everything is in packets wen u mite only want 1 Nail or a bolt! Also I do think people who think otherwise arnt frequent visitors there like myself, I see how good an busy the place is.
It is a 'retirement sale', , if you go into them weekly like myself you would see they have no problem getting customers in, always s queue of people in all different professions getting anything and everything. No nonsense. I still can't believe nobody took it over, literally a goldmine and they have it all set up for whoever wanted it ,such a thriving business, I have spoken personally to the brothers and the staff, and I hear from all the customers around there weekly ,that they are literally heartbroken trade is booming, there will never be a place like it, it's so sad no one wanted or was able to buy the business as a going concern, if I had the money I would for sure have done that.
They've built a great business over 30 years. it will be a sad day when the doors finally Shut, a perfectly busy thriving business seizing only because of retirement. I wish them well in their retirement

K.Flyer

Can't see it being converted to a pub. The new owners of the old McGowans pub across the road didn't opt for the choice of keeping a licensed premises on the site, instead went for the retail options, probably because the Bottle Tower was approx 100m away.

ncbf1038

K.Flyer wrote: »

Can't see it being converted to a pub. The new owners of the old McGowans pub across the road didn't opt for the choice of keeping a licensed premises on the site, instead went for the retail options, probably because the Bottle Tower was approx 100m away.

Yeh I get that, but the new crowd are looking to do some kind of old bar serving food, could work, as it's different for the area, great space out the front for table and chairs too

Addle

FYI
https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/news/watch-charming-short-film-on-the-end-of-an-era-as-oldschool-dublin-diy-shop-closes-its-doors-36461230.html

Buttercake

Was in there today, 50% off everything but not much left. They have to be out by the 31st January, restaurant moving in apparently.

brucy

Comans is closed because of a fire in the Restaurant upstairs and a protracted legal battle with the Insurance Companies. Meanwhile The Bottlers Bank is open next door for business. If you check the companies register you will see a company called Churchtown Stores was registered 3 months ago by Pat Coman. So there you have it

RobAMerc

I miss this place terribly.
Is there anywhere similar locally ?

gunny123

Doubt it, even other so called hardware shops like woodies are doing less hardware and more housewares. The only decent hardwares are the ones out in the country towns that cater for farmers and the like. That being said, lenehans on capel street isn't too bad, but they are expensive.

mfceiling

RobAMerc wrote: »

I miss this place terribly.
Is there anywhere similar locally ?

Paint Pot beside Horkans Supervalue in Templeogue. Norman keeps everything...I haven't seen him be beaten once with not having a random item.

RobAMerc

gunny123 wrote: »

Doubt it, even other so called hardware shops like woodies are doing less hardware and more housewares. The only decent hardwares are the ones out in the country towns that cater for farmers and the like. That being said, lenehans on capel street isn't too bad, but they are expensive.

I actually work near Lenihans and they have a fair bit of stuff, but they are not just down the road when you need them