In September 2019, the owners announced that their South Main Street location in Wexford would close for renovations. Fifteen months later, in January 2021, the restaurant reopened as a traditional fish and chip shop called the Salt & Vinegar.

The diner in December 2014.

Unfortunately, the new chipper didn’t last very long. Activity on its Facebook page indicates that it shut down at some point in 2022.

Rita and Pio Veccio established the diner in 1995. However, they sold the business in February 2009 so that they could focus on a new venture in Clonard.

Before big names such as McDonald’s, KFC, Supermac’s, and Domino’s came to Wexford, diners relied on Uncle Sam’s and Burger Mac if they wanted American-style fast food. Otherwise, they had to settle for a bag of chips, a Chinese, or maybe a pizza from Robertino’s.

The diner was particularly popular among pubgoers in the southern end of the town, as it was one of the few places that stayed open late into the night. It also attracted teenagers, especially after they poured out of discos such as “Tracks” and “Twisters,” which were often hosted in the nearby Dun Mhuire.

By 2019, the fast food landscape had entirely changed. Similar restaurants had sprung up around town, and there was also increased competition from the larger brands. These factors may explain why the owners decided to pivot to a more traditional cuisine.

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The news caught most people by surprise, as it had been in business for 35 years, having first opened its doors in September 1988.

The front bar of the Centenary Stores in November 2014.

For many, it was the first place they thought of when someone mentioned Wexford’s nightlife. Over the years, it had proved its staying power by beating off competition from the likes of The Colony, The Music Factory, The Renaissance, and Mooneys.

It was opened by the late businessman Michael Tierney, who sadly passed away in December 2022 following a battle with motor neurone disease (MND). It started as a small bar on Charlotte Street before the rooms at the back were added. Later, it became a three-floor nightclub, with each floor playing different music.

The front of The Stores. The building was remodeled at some point in the early-to-mid 2000s.

It was so popular that it had to limit admissions to ticket holders on special occasions such as New Year’s Eve.

Summer nights would see the place packed, particularly when Wexford’s hurling team overperformed. During the financial exuberance of the Celtic Tiger era, it would even open on Tuesdays, allowing people who worked on the weekends to have a night out.

Queues were a common sight.

The Centenary Stores wasn’t just known for its nightclub. On Sunday afternoons, it hosted trad sessions on the street outside. It was also a very popular spot for lunch.

Why did it close?

Nightclubs across Ireland have been struggling to keep their doors open due to rising costs and dwindling customer numbers.

Business owners typically identify insurance costs as a key issue. For example, in 2023, it was estimated that the average nightclub paid approximately €92,000 per year in insurance premiums.

To make matters worse, the cost of living has significantly increased since 2020, and many young people are suffering due to the ongoing rental crisis. If they are struggling to pay rent and put food on the table, they’re unlikely to spend €100 on a night out.

In addition to this, young people are now drinking less than they did before. They go to the gym and visit coffee shops. Living a healthy lifestyle is no longer considered “boring.” Furthermore, the “party hard” culture of the previous generations appears to fallen out of favour. This shift may be due to the rise of fitness influencers on social media and increased awareness about the dangers of alcohol.

The ongoing taxi shortage is another issue that is impacting nightlife in Wexford and Ireland in general. During the 1990s and 2000s, it was common to see minibuses pulling up, packed with patrons from the countryside. These days, it is difficult to find a taxi. And if you do happen to find one, it’ll cost you a pretty penny.

Ten years ago, you could stumble out of The Stores, wait inside Wexford Cabs across the road, and get a taxi within 10-30 minutes. Sometimes, even sooner. These days, you have to worry about how long you’ll be standing outside Dunnes Stores in the rain and cold.

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