Buy Local & Support Local Businesses

It’s no secret we all LOVE a good deal. How many times have we bought something just because it was on sale? If we can save money and get a good product we just can’t resist.

Our local businesses survived this difficult year like real champions, but they didn’t stop there. Many of them are running sales campaigns during the whole month of January, some of them even longer. We admire their determination to accommodate our needs in these challenging times. That’s why we are proudly helping them to spread the word this sale time of the year about their products and services, hoping you will choose to buy local and support them.

As always, we had a great pleasure to talk to some of the beloved Dun Laoghaire business owners and store managers. They shared fantastic stories about their businesses and what’s on sale. Let’s find out what they have in store for us.

Mike’s Bikes

Everyone knows Eddie and his team at Mike’s Bikes. Many locals bought their first bike here and brought their child, or grandchildren, to do the same. While every bike shop is a bit different Mike’s Bikes is a more family oriented shop.

If something good came out of this strange year, it’s the fact that we are actively spending more time outdoors, walking, cycling, or running. Eddie Rowe, owner of the Mike’s Bikes shop, confirmed this trend. Mike’s Bikes is in Dun Laoghaire for nearly 50 years now and Eddie, and his wife Monica, have been the owners for 25 of those years. Eddie likes to joke that this only makes him realize how old he is, but we are happy he is our local go to person for bikes for so long.

Eddie likes the challenge of making the business work and trying to provide a good service. They always go the extra mile and during normal times their customers can even enjoy a cup of tea and biscuits when they find themselves in the shop. The business is customer led and they always try to satisfy the wants of their customers. As Eddie said, when you open your doors to the public you get to meet some lovely people and witness lovely stories. He made us laugh with a story of occasional characters who had wandered into Mikes Bikes asking for computer parts or a pound of butter in the bike shop.

Eddie Rowe, owner Mike’s Bikes

What’s On Sales in Mike’s Bikes

The sale will start on the 4th of January and will run until the end of the month. The bikes on sales will be entry level city bikes, typically in the €300 price range mostly. There are also a couple of specialist electric bikes and mountain bikes that might be included in the sale.

Generally bike sales are in a strange position at the moment because of the pandemic. There’s been a shortage of bicycles worldwide. Mike Bike’s are facing shipping problems because of the huge worldwide demand and parts for the bikes getting scarce. Luckily, Eddie ordered bikes before the pandemic started and they are coming through, but if you plan to come to the shop now and order a bike, Eddie might not be able to give you a date, because the waiting lists for many bikes stretches until 2022.

How to Buy From Mike’s Bikes

You can buy from Mike’s Bikes directly in the shop, or send an email to info@mikesbikes.ie or call (01) 280 0417 and then collect the bike in the shop. Just be mindful of bike and parts shortages at the moment.

Here’s where you can find Mike’s Bikes shop:

107 Patrick St, Dún Laoghaire

(01) 280 0417

Website

Google Reviews Mike’s Bikes

ECCO Shoes – Celebrating 30 years in our town!

How to stay warm this January? Getting yourself a super pair of Ecco shoes is a great idea. We are lucky to have world renouned brand, ECCO shoes, in Dun Laoghaire. ECCO is well-known brand and in January 2021 they celebrate the fact that they have had an outlet Dun Laoghaire for 30 years. We were delighted to speak to Paula, the store manager who’s been in the shop for 26 years. The Dun Laoghaire branch has a team of seven people, and they are proud that they have a great majority of the team members who have been working in the shop for more than 20 years. This gives the team a nice service of knowing almost all of their customers by their first name, as they’ve been in the same shop for so long.

ECCO are very happy to do the kids shoes as well, so they get to see the whole families from toddlers, school and college children to grown-ups with their first jobs. Dun Laoghaire’s ECCO shop prides itself on great customer service and the premium quality of the shoes that have a very good reputation for comfort and longevity. All team members are well-trained to know the best fit of shoe (in every sense) to help them to meet their customers’ needs. They also teach customers how to care about their shoes and keep them in a good condition. Paula shared with us that they used to have mystery shoppers helping keep the standards of customer service very high and the Dun Laoghaire branch was always one of the top stores. In 2018. Dun Laoghaire shop was the best in Europe, well done Dun Laoghaire!

Paula Keegan, manager Ecco Shoes Dun Laoghaire

What’s On Sales in ECCO Shoes

The sales starts on the 27th of December and it will last though the whole month of January when you buy directly in the shop. They’ll have winter soft boots and winter products and kids shoes on sales.

Also ECCO shoes will have up to 50% off on selected items sold online online for women, men and kids. The campaign will last until the 21st of February.

The company has a wide range of products for women, men, and kids. This includes:

Shoes for women: sneakers, slip-ons, sandals, outdoor, heels, GORE-TEX, Golf, Flats, Boots.
Accessories: socks, soles, laces, care, belts

Shoes for men: sneakers, sandals, outdoor, moccasins, GORE-TEX, golf shoes, business, causal, boots
Accessories: socks, belts, soles, laces, care

Shoes for girls: sneakers, slip-ons, sandals, outdoor, flats, boots
Shoes for boys: sneakers, slip-ons, sandals, outdoor, boots
Shoes for infants: size 3-8.5

How to Buy From ECCO Shoes

You can buy their products directly in the shop. Click here to book for safe shopping. You can also buy shoes online. One thing to note is that if you buy shoes online you will not be able to bring them back to the local store because it’s a separate entity. The shops in Ireland are a separate franchise so the discounts might not apply and shoes you find online might not be available in the shops in Ireland. The local shop can help with the delivery of shoes ordered from another store to your home.

Here’s where you can find Ecco Shoes shop:

14 George’s Street Upper, Dún Laoghaire

(01) 280 3777

Website

Google Reviews Ecco Shoes

Trespass

Dun Laoghaire is proud to have a shop that started their Irish business in Dun Laoghaire and grew to be a successful national brand with more than 19 stores nationwide.

We are talking about Trespass, a brand that supplies all of us with a passion for the outdoors. From hiking and trekking to skiing and biking, in Trespass, you can find everything you need to spend quality time outdoors. Trespass are with us in Dun Laoghaire for more than 20 years now, providing high quality products.

Ger Fitzgerald, the store manager at Trespass Dun Laoghaire, was so kind to guide us through their offer in the weeks ahead of us.

Ger Fitzgerald, manager Trespass

What’s On Sales in Trespass

The sales in Trespass has already started and it will be on until February or March. All products in the shop are on sale. Trespass offers up to 50% off of current season styles and up to 70% of selected clearance items.

Their range of products includes:

Products for women, men, girls, and boys: jackets, footwear, tops, trousers, accessories

Camping and accessories: rucksacks, backpacks & other bags, cooking, drinking & eating, dog jackets, umbrellas, sunglasses, sleeping bags & bedding, camping chairs and stools, tents & tent accessories, camping towels, torches & lanterns, other accessories.

How to Buy From Trespass

You can buy their goods directly in the shop or online at their website. Because the ordering system is centralised for the whole Ireland, click and collect is not possible, just delivery.

Here’s where you can find Trespass shop:

Level 2, Dun Laoghaire Shopping Centre, George’s Street Upper, Dún Laoghaire

(01) 280 0808

Website

Google Reviews Trespass

Grandstand Sports

If you started to walk or run more during the pandemic then you certainly noticed you need good shoes and sportwear to support your new and improved lifestyle. Grandstand Sports is our local destination for all your sporting needs. We had pleasure in speaking with Michael Gibbons, owner and manager, who told us the story behind this destination sporting goods shop.

Grandstand Sports is in Dun Laoghaire for 16 years now. They opened their doors to our community in 2004. What makes them different from other sport shops is that they specialise in fulfilling the demand in the area for hockey and tennis, although they provide products for other sports as well. The range they stock is orientated towards the more serious sports person, who actually play sports and is dominated by specialist sports brands as opposed to general sports/fashion brands. As Michael said “We saw a need for a real sports shop.” They also have a wide range of medals, trophies and provide a trophy engraving service.

Grandstand Sports tries to maintain a consistent stock. They like to offer people what they expect to find in Grandstand Sports, so consistency is one of the highest priorities.

Michael Gibbons, manager Grandstand Sports Dun Laoghaire

What’s On Sales in Grandstand Sports

Sales campaign starts on the 28th of December subject to COVID 19 restrictions and it will last through the whole month of January. They will have big reductions across all categories, especially seasonal footwear to make a way for new spring/summer ranges.

Grandstand Sports product range includes:

Hockey: Sticks, Shoes, Bags, Apparel
Tennis: Rackets, Apparel, Shoes, Accessories
Swimming: Swimwear, Goggles, Accessories
Other sports: Badminton, Basketball, Fitness, Football, GAA, Lawn Bowls, Rugby, Running, Table Tennis
Other Equipment: Water Bottles, Supports, Bags, Winter Accessories
Trophies, Baselayer, Club Kit

How to Buy From Grandstand Sports

Grandstand Sports just launched a brand new website and people can browse and shop over it. They can order for delivery or click and collect. If COVID 19 guidelines allow the shop will open on the 28th of December so people will be able to buy directly in the shop as well.

Here’s where you can find Grandstand Sports shop:

106 Patrick St, Dún Laoghaire

(01) 230 0899

Website

Google Reviews Grandstand Sports

CAMEO Jewellers

Declan is one of the friendliest jeweller in Dun Laoghaire. He’s been in business in Dun Laoghaire for 20 years now. His business has survived two recessions and this whole year with the pandemic and lockdown, but he is still here and going strong. He has a loyal customer base and plenty of new people coming to the shop through recommendations. They might not see some customers during the year but they still come back to Cameo Jewellery every Christmas for something special. Declan is also a trained goldsmith. He spent six years in Canada training in art and design of jewellery so he is more than capable to accommodate people’s special orders, as well as, to do the repair work in his shop.

As Declan said to us everyone is happy to come back to his shop because he is easy going. He likes to take a light approach to things, not taking things too seriously and having a good banter with customers and people love it.

Declan Coates, owner Cameo Jewellers

What’s On Sales in Cameo Jewellers

At Cameo Jewellers there isn’t a dedicated January sale per se, as Declan gives discounts to his goods all year long. If for example people see something for €100, Declan can offer a better price when circumstances allow.

Declan repairs and makes jewellery: wedding bends, engagement rings, redesign of jewellery, repair of watches (batteries and straps), he also provides engraving services. Anything they sell in the shop, they engrave.

How to Buy From Cameo Jewellers

You can buy from Cameo Jewellers directly in the shop or ring him at (01) 280 3564. As Declan is aware that a lot of people are buying online now, their website is in the making and the plan for it to go live is by the end of January.

Here’s where you can find Cameo Jewellers:

61 Lower Georges St, Dun Laoghaire

(01) 280 3564 

Warchest

Passionate about games? Then David Reynolds of The Warchest is your kindred spirit in Dun Laoghaire. He started The Warchest in October of 2012, so they’ve been in Dun Laoghaire for 8 years now. David has had a lifelong fascination with card games, board games and role-playing games and it’s always been his belief that South County Dublin, given its size and population, needs a retailer specialising in these areas.

What makes the Warchest special is that they try to balance their approach with customers. On one side they try to make every customer feel valued. David will personally greet every customer that walks through the door unless he’s already engaged with another customer. On the other side, David is aware that’s important never to let helpfulness spill over into pushiness. In his own words, “I would rather sell a customer a low-end item that meets their needs and makes them happy to return in future, than a high-end item that has them regretting shopping with us when the credit card bill falls due.”

True to their Irish hospitality, they aim to provide a friendly, helpful and relaxed retail space. In an adjoining room there is a games area where locals often met to play for hours at a time. Tournaments are also held there.

David Reynolds, owner Warchest

What’s On Sale in Warchest

The sale starts on January 4 and it will last until the end of January.

Their Big Box Sale is focused around sealed booster boxes of Magic the Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh trading cards. They have marked booster boxes of Core Set 2020, Ikoria, Theros: Beyond Death and Zendikar Rising Set Boosters down from €135 to just €95. And they have marked boxes of Genesis Impact, Phantom Rage and Toon Chaos down from €90 to just €55. Also, Zendikar Rising Prerelease Packs are 6 for €95 for the whole month.

How to Buy From Warchest

You can by from Warchest directly in the shop or order online. Contact them through their Facebook page or email [email protected] and they’ll be happy to help. They deliver anywhere in Ireland for €6.50.

Here’s where you can find Warchest shop:

Unit 2, Hardy’s Lane, Dun Laoghaire

087 782 5886

Website

Google Reviews The Warchest

Ready For Shopping?

Our local businesses prepared really special discounted offers for everyone and almost all needs. Whether you want a new pair of elegant shoes, need new products for your active lifestyle, beauty treatment, or just to play, they got you. Happy shopping everyone. Don’t forget to keep yourself and everyone around your safe, and of course, BUY LOCAL.

Thank you for supporting our Dun Laoghaire business community!

Please note that all participants in the above photos kindly temporarily removed their face masks to pose for the photos for this feature. All information featured above in respect of opening and methods of buying was correct as of 28/12/2020.

For a list of all the retail outlets in our town please see our Dún Laoghaire Town business directory.

Would you like us to include your business in future Love Dún Laoghaire features?

We would be delighted to, please send an email to [email protected] with details of your location in Dún Laoghaire and we will be in touch. 

Supported by