Several well-known institutions in Wexford have closed over the years. Some were forced to shut down due to financial difficulties or increased competition, while others closed when their owners chose to retire.
The Star
The Star Bakery on South Main Street ceased trading in Easter 2015 after 43 years in business. The premises housed a bakery and restaurant.
Whites For Music
Whites For Music was on South Main Street, at the corner of Keyser’s Lane.
The store sold CDs, tape cassettes, MP3 players, DVDs, and concert tickets. It announced its closure in June 2014. During the 30 years that Whites For Music was in business, people commonly lined up outside the store at night, positioning themselves for the early-morning ticket release of an upcoming concert.
George Bridges’ toy shop
George Bridges’ toy store on Selskar Street was a place of wonder for the children of Wexford. His small Toymaster shop was the source of many fond memories.
In the lead-up to Christmas, Bridges displayed a countdown to the long-awaited day. The shop was also well-known for its Lego displays.
Bridges closed the store around 1993.
Woolworths
On Friday, 4 April 1952, Woolworths brought a new retail experience to Wexford’s main street. The Woolworths store on South Main Street sold a wide variety of goods, such as clothes, ice cream, Christmas decorations, music records, books, toys, and cosmetics. For many Wexford people, it was their first experience of visiting a superstore. Woolworths closed in 1984 when the company decided to pull out of Ireland due to financial concerns. Penneys now occupies the premises.
Pierce’s Foundry
Pierce’s Foundry, which closed in 2002, was established at its Distillery Road premises in 1839. Tesco now stands on the site.
The company was a major source of employment for the town. Many people who grew up during this era remember Pierce’s horn, which rang out across the town. For many children, the lunchtime horn acted as a reminder to return home for dinner.
BPM Records
BPM was known for its wide selection of music and posters, and for its listening station. The store suspended its business activities in 2011. The owner attributed the closure to the state of the economy and a reduction in disposable income. He noted that customers had left independent shops to buy movies and music from supermarkets.
M&J’s
M&J’s was a chip shop on North Main Street, where Westgate Design and Lifestyle Sports now stand. Many Wexford people have fond memories of getting a bag of chips at M&J’s.
Buckland
Buckland was a bookseller, newsagent, and tobacconist on South Main Street, opposite Hores Stores. It was run by two women, May and Ita.
Buckland sold Christmas annuals, foreign newspapers, magazines, and comic books such as Bunty, Judy, and The Beano.
Quinnsworth & Crazy Prices
Before Tesco, the supermarket at the end of Lowney’s Mall was called Quinnsworth, which in later years began to use the brand name Crazy Prices. In March 1997, Tesco purchased the Quinnsworth supermarket chain. Tesco gradually rebranded the stores as Tesco Ireland over the following four years, a process that completed around April 2001.
In 2007, Tesco left Lowney’s Mall and moved to a new site on Distillery Road. This had a harmful effect on businesses operating in the mall. The back entrance on Oyster Lane was closed off, which reduced footfall and led to the closure of places such as Rendezvous cafe.
Pubs
Several pubs have disappeared from the town over the years. These include The Tower Bar on North Main Street, Andy Kinsellas on South Main Street, Reds, Archers, The Bohemian Girl on Selskar Street, The Selskar Lounge and Bar, Tim’s Tavern, and The Commodore.
The Selskar Lounge and Bar closed in January 2007 after 100 years in business.
The County Hotel
The County Hotel on Anne Street was popular for staff dinners, wedding receptions, Thursday night discos, and live music from bands such as Wexford group Cry Before Dawn.
The hotel closed in 1989 or 1990.
Coffey’s
Clothing store Coffey’s was on South Main Street, where Heatons is today. The store was best known for its popular payment plan, which allowed customers to pay for purchased items at a later date via weekly or monthly instalments. Many children in Wexford received a new jacket or pair of shoes from Coffey’s.
Cinemas
Several cinemas have operated in Wexford over the years, including The Palace Cinema in Cinema Lane, The Capitol Cinema on South Main Street, the Abbey Theatre on Upper George’s Street, and the Savoy Cineplex on Redmond Road.
And the rest…
A list of some of the other institutions that Wexford people regularly reminisce about:
- Grace’s chip shop on Bride Street.
- The Red Rooster chip shop on John’s Gate Street.
- O’Faolain’s on Monck Street.
- Sidetracks on Wexford Quay.
- The service station across from the entrance to Wexford Bridge.
- Record shop T.V.R.S.
- The Gem corner shop on Abbey Street.
- Crossroads foodstore at the top of Hill Street.
- O’Tooles on South Main Street.
- Bessie O’Connor’s bakery shop.
- Whelan’s newsagents.
- Jenkins department store.
- Loves Cafe on North Main Street.
- Woolhead on South Main Street.
- The Ritz Cafe in the Bullring.