“YOU don’t see any shop closures in the Thomas Street area,” boasts local businessman Tony Clarke, who has been trading there since 1972.
In fact, thanks to a major redevelopment programme underneath the car park, several new units have opened on the street in recent times, and all are trading well, he reassures this writer.
Ennis Road-born Clarke has been instrumental in keeping Thomas Street very much to the forefront, and his bravest venture was perhaps the conversion of the former O’Mara’s Bacon Factory into a car park, about 20 years ago.
Always quick to spot an opening for another new enterprise, he has taken his cue to continue with the Winterfest Christmas Market, which is being promoted by the Limerick Co-Ordination office on the ground floor of the car park, on November 20-21.
“They will be in for two days but Thomas Street traders have banded together and we will take on responsibility for the market in the weekends leading up to Christmas. We are open to other stall holders in the Limerick area to come on board with us.
“We see this as a means of bringing more people into town-we will all benefit from it, not just those in Thomas Street”.
Keeping things very much in the family, Tony Clarke has now teamed up with his daughter Louise to introduce the street’s first dedicated wine shop, with a November opening.
She, and husband Simon Wilkinson, are owners of the recently opened Country Basket.
Surveying the Limerick scene in general, he regrets that so many shop units have closed inside the last two years, particularly those which had a strong affiliation with the city.
“Yes, there has been an economic downturn but I believe we have survived the worst of it because we have the right mix of shops and restaurants in Thomas Street, which, I might add, is looking extremely well.
“We are helped, of course, in that we have a multi storey carpark on our doorstep.
“From my own experience, I have noticed an upturn in the economy. People are out spending again. Maybe it is because the Christmas season is almost with us, and perhaps we will have to wait until January/February before we see if it is for real, but I remain confident for the future”.
Thomas Street Traders Tony Clarke, Tony Clarke Bookshop with Marie McDevitt, The Wine Cellar (opening soon) and Simon Wilkinson, The Country Basket.
