New Shops/Businesses in Bray

Annasopra · 03-03-2020 12:11am

zoobizoo wrote: »

Well in the case of a certain design/print shop/bookshop that was on the main st. the landlord wanted to double the rent so they decided to close up shop.

Now the property is empty and will be for some time.

Wheres the source of that story? Never heard it before

Cerco · 03-03-2020 12:12pm

Irish Times.

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/retail-and-services/eason-acquires-rival-dubray-books-for-undisclosed-sum-1.4184269

Easons previously purchased Reads.

Creamy Goodness · 03-03-2020 2:38pm

Cerco wrote: »

Irish Times.

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/retail-and-services/eason-acquires-rival-dubray-books-for-undisclosed-sum-1.4184269

Easons previously purchased Reads.

Pretty sure Joey is looking for a source that the landlord wanted to double the rent and not that Eason's (who own Read's) bought Dubray as that's public knowledge.

Annasopra · 06-03-2020 1:43am

Yeah where is the source that Reads landlord wanted to double the rent?

It looks like unsubstantiated gossip to be honest

The manager posted on facebook and never mentioned it.

Hi All.

It is with great regret that Reads will be leaving Bray in October.
We will miss the support from local customers and businesses alike we have had for the last 5 years.
This is simply a commercial decision due to the very high costs of rent, rates and increasing insurance costs.
Our decision was made a little easier due to the new online store we will be launching soon
This is a wonderful new site specially designed for ease of use and with a huge selection of products.
You can purchase online with massive savings and get your purchases delivered to your door, so there will still be no need to pay high prices for books, stationery and printing elsewhere.
Over the next few months we will be launching a new loyalty scheme plus regular special offers for you to avail of.

Thanks again to everyone in Bray and surrounding areas and we hope you will still shop with Reads.

Reads Management

06-03-2020 11:12pm

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

Yeah where is the source that Reads landlord wanted to double the rent?

It looks like unsubstantiated gossip to be honest

The manager posted on facebook and never mentioned it.

Hi All.

It is with great regret that Reads will be leaving Bray in October.
We will miss the support from local customers and businesses alike we have had for the last 5 years.
This is simply a commercial decision due to the very high costs of rent, rates and increasing insurance costs.
Our decision was made a little easier due to the new online store we will be launching soon
This is a wonderful new site specially designed for ease of use and with a huge selection of products.
You can purchase online with massive savings and get your purchases delivered to your door, so there will still be no need to pay high prices for books, stationery and printing elsewhere.
Over the next few months we will be launching a new loyalty scheme plus regular special offers for you to avail of.

Thanks again to everyone in Bray and surrounding areas and we hope you will still shop with Reads.

Reads Management

Not gonna be able to try out a nice pen on a teeny tiny piece of paper online, though.

07-03-2020 10:25am

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

Yeah where is the source that Reads landlord wanted to double the rent?

The manager did make reference to the "very high costs of rent".

Max Headroom · 07-03-2020 10:29am

Deleted User wrote: »

Not gonna be able to try out a nice pen on a teeny tiny piece of paper online, though.

On the bright side maybe at last we'll have somewhere where we can get some food or a coffee ......:rolleyes:

BTW...anyone know whats happening in Ardmore studios..??...lot of clearing out of buildings and sets....

tea and coffee · 07-03-2020 11:28am

Getting ready for the new Ben Affleck movie shoot maybe?

Max Headroom · 07-03-2020 2:08pm

tea and coffee wrote: »

Getting ready for the new Ben Affleck movie shoot maybe?

I'm hoping theyre not selling off land for yet more apartments....:rolleyes:

George White · 09-03-2020 8:59pm

https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/ardmore-studios-dramatic-growth-plan-gains-the-green-light-38872757.html

Annasopra · 10-03-2020 7:56am

2011 wrote: »

The manager did make reference to the "very high costs of rent".

They didnt say the rent doubled no. There is no substance to the claim other than someone said it here. There's no reliable source for the claim at all. As I said above I can only conclude it may be gossip given that it cant be reliably backed up.

10-03-2020 11:39am

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

They didnt say the rent doubled no. There is no substance to the claim other than someone said it here. There's no reliable source for the claim at all. As I said above I can only conclude it may be gossip given that it cant be reliably backed up.

Agree completely, however the statement attributed to the manager made it clear that the “very high rent” was a factor.

Annasopra · 10-03-2020 11:59am

2011 wrote: »

Agree completely, however the statement attributed to the manager made it clear that the “very high rent” was a factor.

Yes. I am doubtful of the claim it was doubled or threatened to be doubled. I dont think a threatened 100% increase was made or there would be much more proof of it. Thats my point.

ssaannee1980 · 24-03-2020 1:11pm

I see Boston Donuts is opening up in Bray... Not entirely sure where abouts but it has just popped up on Facebook.

It's good to see that some of the empty locations might not be for much longer. Although no fear of me becoming addicted, in my own opinion, Boston Donuts are not my favourite, they're quite heavy.. but who am I to judge

Annasopra · 24-03-2020 1:13pm

I never knew Notionz closed until I passed an empty shop the other day. Very sad. I expect some Bray businesses just might never reopen now.

24-03-2020 9:27pm

ssaannee1980 wrote: »

It's good to see that some of the empty locations might not be for much longer.

It’s always good to see new businesses opening up but unfortunately I think we will see a lot more closing than opening

sy_flembeck · 25-03-2020 12:03am

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

I never knew Notionz closed until I passed an empty shop the other day. Very sad. I expect some Bray businesses just might never reopen now.

It's gone a while actually. Pity though, as the staff were always very friendly and t was a good spot for a voucher

Tippex · 27-03-2020 7:46pm

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

I never knew Notionz closed until I passed an empty shop the other day. Very sad. I expect some Bray businesses just might never reopen now.

They closed to to the building not being safe for them to trade in

"We are very sad to announce that we are closing our
Notionz shop in Bray. Unfortunately due to structural issues with the building it is no longer fit to trade in and we have been left with no choice. It has been a really hard decision to make and we want to take this opportunity to say a HUGH THANKS to all our customers in Bray who have supported us since we opened in 2007.
We are running a closing down sale at the moment so please call in with any Notionz vouchers or credit notes you may have, or alternatively they can be redeemed in our Notionz shops in Nutgrove shopping centre Rathfarnham or Millfield shopping centre Balbriggan. If you have any stock issues or any other queries you can contact us on sales@notionz.ie.
So it’s good bye to Bray for the moment from
Margaret and Ger"

27-03-2020 7:50pm

Anyone want to take a guess as to how covid19 is going to affect the new Town centre?

Thargor · 27-03-2020 11:04pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Anyone want to take a guess as to how covid19 is going to affect the new Town centre?

Supervalu up on the Southern Cross is going full steam ahead anyway, I pass it every day.

justincasey · 10-04-2020 6:46am

I see insomnia and Lloyds pharmacist going in to the primary health care centre bizarre not to mention private practice carlton clinic...

Cliffage · 17-04-2020 3:27pm

Hi - slightly off topic but are any businesses in bray delivering cakes? have a birthday coming up
thanks

BraveDonut · 17-04-2020 3:29pm

Boston donuts - got a delivery yesterday - nom!

Annasopra · 17-04-2020 5:01pm

Cliffage wrote: »

Hi - slightly off topic but are any businesses in bray delivering cakes? have a birthday coming up
thanks

Keegans are open on Main Street

g0g · 31-05-2020 7:12pm

I see the old Central Garage building up the Main Street getting kitted out to be Tres Amigos Mexican. Big enough a building, wonder if they'll be doing eat in? Weird time to be opening but would love a local Mexican that lasts!

fjon · 04-06-2020 6:53pm

Some more coffee shop news (it has been quite a while!)

New coffee shop open on Meath Road near the hair dressers. Odd location, looks decent enough.

Catalyst are moving into the Ocean building. Not sure if it’s temporary, but that’s a massive building for just a coffee shop.

Annasopra · 04-06-2020 8:11pm

fjon wrote: »

Some more coffee shop news (it has been quite a while!)

New coffee shop open on Meath Road near the hair dressers. Odd location, looks decent enough.

Catalyst are moving into the Ocean building. Not sure if it’s temporary, but that’s a massive building for just a coffee shop.

Prob just temporary I'd guess

Tippex · 05-06-2020 6:01pm

Looks like Lifestyle Sports have closed shop too.

Thargor · 05-06-2020 6:59pm

Tippex wrote: »

Looks like Lifestyle Sports have closed shop too.

Do you mean lockdown or they're gone for good?

tea and coffee · 05-06-2020 8:06pm

Wouldn't surprise me if it was gone for good :-(
There was less and less stock every time I went in recently. There is so little footfall on the main street really.
Most people were going in for click and collect or head to Carrickmines. Maybe they are planning to reopen in the Town Centre but I fear the whole centre is starting to look like a white elephant.

murpho999 · 06-06-2020 12:48am

How can you say the new centre is looking like a white elephant when it is still being built and nothing is confirmed yet?

Lifestyle Sports would hardly be a massive indicator.

tea and coffee · 06-06-2020 10:06am

murpho999 wrote: »

How can you say the new centre is looking like a white elephant when it is still being built and nothing is confirmed yet?

Lifestyle Sports would hardly be a massive indicator.

I want it to succeed as much as the next person. But frankly I'm a bit concerned. There is still no anchor confirmed.

We have seen Allen, Connollys, shoe zone, shoe rack, Notionz, Reads, Wigoders close down in the last 2 years alone. (I've even probably forgotten a few)

There are 10+ empty units on the main street. The majority of the main street/ Bray is pharmacies, charity shops and shops selling very low price goods (tiger, dealz, Claire's, various Euro shops- one of which even closed)
Some of these have been empty for years (e.g old ESB shop/ Bank of Scotland, old Abracadabra)

Anvil is on the way out, if Lifestyle goes that is another one.
Why would a retailer decide to open in the centre when the Main St can't hack it. If people don't shop in Bray now why would they start? The fact that more shops have shut since building has started (you'd think the centre opening would attract more nearby retail also) is concerning.

I have lived in Bray all my life but I am worried.
I have walked down the Main St on a Saturday and the footfall is minimal. Covid has hit jobs and businesses now as well.

The centre has been delayed time and again (and that is before we get into the whole Florentine debacle)

The previous cinema died, everyone went to Dundrum.

Carrickmines sold a corner site there at the roundabout a few years ago and there are plans to develop a shopping centre to rival Dundrum. They have parking, Bray does not and has a terrible traffic problem on Main St and Vevay.

Other regens such as Dun Laoghaire have failed with 2 empty S.C.s there.

I sound like a doom merchant. Everything points to potential failure. That is why it looks like a white elephant to me. My heart wishes that I am 100% wrong. My head says otherwise.

Calibos · 08-06-2020 2:00pm

Something else that concerns me is that despite other sites reopening, the old Value Center Cash & Carry site opposite the Train Station hasn't as far as I can see. Are we going to go from a decrepit derelict old cash and carry for 2 decades to a half built concrete shell of an apartment complex for the next 2 decades?

Lefty2Guns · 09-06-2020 7:08am

Calibos wrote: »

Something else that concerns me is that despite other sites reopening, the old Value Center Cash & Carry site opposite the Train Station hasn't as far as I can see. Are we going to go from a decrepit derelict old cash and carry for 2 decades to a half built concrete shell of an apartment complex for the next 2 decades?

Some sites have yet to open as they need to prepare the site for COVID 19 safety measures. If you can't satisfy these measures you cannot open. That site looks fairly compact. The main contractor may not have been able to put the measures in place.

In saying that, the apartment site on the seafront has reopened which is similar in size. Workers have been on that site since last week.

Cakerbaker · 09-06-2020 7:20am

Lefty2Guns wrote: »

Some sites have yet to open as they need to prepare the site for COVID 19 safety measures. If you can't satisfy these measures you cannot open. That site looks fairly compact. The main contractor may not have been able to put the measures in place.

In saying that, the apartment site on the seafront has reopened which is similar in size. Workers have been on that site since last week.

Could be delays in getting materials too. We’re building an extension at the moment and there are delays getting steel beams we need as the supplier isn’t at 100% capacity due to Covid.

fox233 · 28-07-2020 8:29pm

Anyone know if Forno on the Albert Walk is still open? I walked past about 5/6 weeks ago and they were serving pizza / treats through the window. Passed it again today and the shopfront logo appears to have been painted over. The shutter was halfway up with the lights off inside but the menu still hanging on the window.

I'm dying to try their pizza which I hear is tasty and looks very reasonable. Anyone know what the story is ?

zoobizoo · 28-07-2020 9:46pm

fox233 wrote: »

Anyone know if Forno on the Albert Walk is still open? I walked past about 5/6 weeks ago and they were serving pizza / treats through the window. Passed it again today and the shopfront logo appears to have been painted over. The shutter was halfway up with the lights off inside but the menu still hanging on the window.

I'm dying to try their pizza which I hear is tasty and looks very reasonable. Anyone know what the story is ?

I've been getting coffees there for the last few weeks but not sure if they're doing pizza at the mo.

Lefty2Guns · 05-08-2020 7:46am

Had the Pizza out of Forno a few times. €6.50 for a nine inch pizza, bargain, plus they are very tasty.

Would recommend. Was there on Monday so still operating.

zoobizoo · 05-08-2020 1:36pm

Lefty2Guns wrote: »

Had the Pizza out of Forno a few times. €6.50 for a nine inch pizza, bargain, plus they are very tasty.

Would recommend. Was there on Monday so still operating.

Lovely lads too.

WeleaseWoderick · 05-08-2020 2:51pm

Another coffee place now opened up the Arcade - Contemporary Coffee Co.

I actually like that we have a decent number of good coffee outlets now and not just a bunch of chains (I know we have Costa & Starbucks).

Also noticed that Fleurtique have moved to a bigger premises nextdoor to the old one and launched a party supplies section to the shop too.

Annasopra · 05-08-2020 4:01pm

Catalyst coffee also opened up a Pop up Ramen restaurant called Shoyu up from Wing it behind Ocean Bar plus Cow Fish has reopened as Fika - lots of real trendy food places in Bray lately

Lefty2Guns · 05-08-2020 7:57pm

Anybody try the Mexican on main street yet? Haven't had a chance yet but on my list.

fjon · 06-08-2020 4:41pm

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

Catalyst coffee also opened up a Pop up Ramen restaurant called Shoyu up from Wing it behind Ocean Bar plus Cow Fish has reopened as Fika - lots of real trendy food places in Bray lately

Have a table booked in Fika for my birthday next week, looking forward to it!

fjon · 06-08-2020 4:42pm

Lefty2Guns wrote: »

Anybody try the Mexican on main street yet? Haven't had a chance yet but on my list.

Yes, food was very good, would recommend.

fjon · 06-08-2020 4:43pm

I've noticed that Sullivans and Galito have been closed whenever I've gone past lately. Anyone know if they are closed for good?

Annasopra · 06-08-2020 4:52pm

fjon wrote: »

I've noticed that Sullivans and Galito have been closed whenever I've gone past lately. Anyone know if they are closed for good?

Hard to say. I think spoons is also possibly closed for good.

browne_rob5 · 06-08-2020 5:03pm

fjon wrote: »

I've noticed that Sullivans and Galito have been closed whenever I've gone past lately. Anyone know if they are closed for good?

Sullivans posted on Facebook 4 weeks ago that they were reopening very soon but didn't have a date as of yet. Probably waiting for the restrictions to ease a bit.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2628615970728668&id=2152622414994695

murpho999 · 08-08-2020 1:01am

I wonder about O'Sullivan's. I don't think it was doing well before lockdown and wonder how it would do now.

Strange how they said it was opening soon on Facebook but nothing has happened. I don't see what restrictions they could be waiting on as it was never that packed that social distancing would be difficult.

browne_rob5 · 08-08-2020 7:59am

murpho999 wrote: »

I wonder about O'Sullivan's. I don't think it was doing well before lockdown and wonder how it would do now.

Strange how they said it was opening soon on Facebook but nothing has happened. I don't see what restrictions they could be waiting on as it was never that packed that social distancing would be difficult.

A good portion of their customers would have only had alcohol so the lifting of a need to buy a substantial meal would help.

It is strange that nothing has happened after 4 weeks though and have heard it was not trading as well as hoped. I really like it so hope it does open.

g0g · 08-08-2020 8:00am

Lefty2Guns wrote: »

Anybody try the Mexican on main street yet? Haven't had a chance yet but on my list.

My review:
I had high hopes.... Have been let down by Box Burger way too many times. Regularly used to order nachos but the amount of times they were delivered cold/soggy was ridiculous and I live pretty nearby.
Tres Amigos:
Good - Love having the sauces separated so you can do the mixing yourself (although see reverse point below). I found the chicken mix really tasty. Portion size was about right for one person with the large nachos. The sour cream and guacamole were really nice. I liked the cheese sauce, although my wife thought too much like the cheese sauce from Eddie Rockets chips.
Bad - Biggest problem is nachos themselves. They taste like what I assume they are - nachos direct from a packet, and quite salty ones at that. Tasted more like something I'd make myself as opposed to the Box Burger ones made in house. Two portions of nachos generates a LOT of waste - I'm no crazy eco warrior, but I felt a bit guilty looking at the amount of plastic we were left with from two portions. It felt a little bit pricey for what it was overall.
Would love to see them stay in business, but think they'll need to make some sort of changes to make it work. I've walked past too many times seeing them sitting around waiting for orders.

New Shops/Businesses in Bray

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