Well, it had to come… Berry Bros close Dublin Shop
April 30, 2009 No CommentsReceived this press release this morning
29th April 2009…Berry Bros. & Rudd has announced the closure of its Dublin shop from the end of July. High running costs combined with high retail rents in Dublin has meant the Company has been unable to make an acceptable return despite a decade of continued investment in the operation.
Since 1999, Berry Bros & Rudd has been selling wine to customers in Ireland from the retail and wholesale business in Harry Street, Dublin. During this period the Company has built up a good reputation for the breadth and quality of the wines it has to offer and it is pleased to have served a large number of loyal customers for several years.
Hugh Sturges, Managing Director of Berry Bros. & Rudd, says: “I would like to thank all our customers, suppliers and staff for their loyalty of the last 10 years. We have very much enjoyed being part of the Irish wine market as it has grown and we hope to continue to be part of it as it continues on its upward path.”
“Knowing that many of our customers would like to continue to be able to purchase wines that the Company has to offer we will be working hard to find a solution where we can continue to provide a service through a variety of distance selling methods supported by representatives of the BB&R Group in the market,” adds Hugh.
The shop at 4, Harry Street will close on 31st July 2009.
Was it ever really viable? The rent was always astronomic, crazy money wanted because of the location and the historic aspect. The proximity to Dunne’s stores, competition with long-established (and Irish) Mitchells, and The Corkscrew, which opened up around the corner, would all have bled business. Many found the place a trifle inhibiting too, “more like a library than a shop” was one comment I got. Still, they stocked nice wines and tmade the most ofa lovely building that could have been just another naff boutique (maybe it will again). The staff, in the main, were knowledgeable, enthusiastic and friendly and the place will be sadly missed.
Thanks also for the many lovely wine dinners upstairs that will live in the memory. Especially the recent afternoon with the hilarious Mr.Beer from Frogs Leap.