This article is from page 8 of the 2014-05-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
A WELL-KNOWN Ennis family business is the latest to fall victim to the recession, with Guerins Foodstore and Newsagent on the corner of Cornmarket Street closing its doors for the final time on Saturday last.
The constant grocer to the people of the area for more than 60 years, and the supplier of the breakfast roll, scone, sandwich and coffee to workers in recent years, this small corner shop was also a centre of news and chat.
The shop building also occupies a special place in the musical history of the town, as it provided the inspiration for ‘The Stone Outside Dan Murphy’s Door’ – a well-known Clare song written by Feakle man Johnny Paterson.
Owned by Clodagh and John Guerin, Guerin’s was the subject of a spate of break-ins in the last three months.
“This has a huge impact on the business too,” said Ms Guerin, adding that robberies during an already difficult time can be the final nail in the coffin for any business.
She said that they were sad to close the shop, but were left with no other option.
In the last number of years a number of businesses closed or “down sized” in the area, which had a huge impact on trade.
“Eircom is gone, the school has moved out and most of the [town] council staff are gone.
“Those companies that are left have less staff and it all has an impact,” added Ms Guerin, a familiar face behind the counter.
“People also don’t have the money any more. They are bringing their lunch to work, and who can blame them. I really noticed it in the last 18 months, and definitely since September. The property tax has had an awful impact too. People just don’t have money,” she said.
While there was no alternative but to close the doors, Ms Guerin admitted some tears were shed.
“I will miss the craic we had here with the customers, but at the end of the day you have to be realistic about things, when it is not paying you have to go. But I will miss it.”
Guerin’s other store in Ennis is to remain open.