New Shops/Businesses in Bray

Ronanc1

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

Is there a starbucks opening in Bray?

In contrast to 2011 I hope not much prefer Insomnia, though im hesitant in hoping for it as the town is drowning in cheap greasy spoons/coffee shops, i'd like some decent competition for Finnbees though too, with their overpriced muck :pac:

geewiz

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

Is there a starbucks opening in Bray?

That would be so awesome. And probably my financial ruin. :-)

Please, let's bring at least one of decent coffee chains to Bray.

LarMan

They appear to be recruiting for a Bray store

http://www.jobs.ie/ApplyForJob.aspx?Id=1397547

zoobizoo

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

Is there a starbucks opening in Bray?

Hope not...

If you want decent coffee go to:
Mamma Mia
Gusto Italiano
Carpe Diem
Campo De Fiori.

Support decent local coffee shops.

Thargor

It'll be on the Main street probably but where?

zoobizoo

Where muffins used to be?

Probably the old National Irish Bank though....

Sugarlumps

Starbucks coffee is tasteless. Just a place for the hipsters to hang out and shoot the breeze.

Thargor

Sugarlumps wrote: »

Starbucks coffee is tasteless. Just a place for the hipsters to hang out and shoot the breeze.

Handy public toilet though, its all I use them for anyway.

Sugarlumps

Thargor wrote: »

Handy public toilet though, its all I use them for anyway.

Good point. They may require you to jot your name down on the jacks roll though.

Annasopra

zoobizoo wrote: »

Hope not...

If you want decent coffee go to:
Mamma Mia
Gusto Italiano
Carpe Diem
Campo De Fiori.

Support decent local coffee shops.

Completely agreed. I dont like starbucks at all but I was curious where its going.

Annasopra

Thargor wrote: »

It'll be on the Main street probably but where?

Maybe city2

zoobizoo

I know that the Irish National building is being done up (apartments going in upstairs)...

City 2 would be way too big ... the upstairs hasn't been used in years. They still have Pizzaland chairs up there.

Wally Runs

The rumour is/was that Dealz will go into City 2, but again just talk I think. It is good business to put about that big names are interested.

As for Starbucks v the others, it comes down to taste I am afraid. My money goes to the smaller guys on quality alone. Coffee in bucket?

sallymomo

Starbucks? If I want to drink coffee in syrup format I'd go to a vending machine...
As zoobizoo has mentioned, support the local decent ones. But if it creates local jobs without affecting local businesses then there's an upside!

Just realised I never came back with my thoughts on Dockyard No 8..
We (two couples) went down that following Saturday I last posted at 10am. The place was empty which was great for table choice but not great for business - so much so that one of the staff members rang another and told her not to bother coming in yet as there was no one there. Within a half an hour it was jammers!
I digress...
3 of us ordered the full Irish and one (my wife) ordered the scrambled eggs and bacon. All thought it was tasty and well presented and staff were very friendly. Any extra coffee is full price which is understandable but competitors dont all charge extra. The overall consensus was that Ocean is still the best (damn you mafia family..but it works.)
Dockyard No 8 does offer an alternative and I spoke with one of the staff and they were hoping to do some evening meals and wine soon.

Barracuda - nice breakfast, but €12?? Seriously..

Also, went for dinner there last Sunday with the folks. Will be the last time - I thought they had turned it around, again. We were at a wedding there a couple of months ago and the food turned out well (apparently another new chef) so I was relaxed going back on Sunday, that didn't last long.
They suggest rating them on Tripadvisor on the front of their menu -I just might..

gerbilgranny

Sugarlumps wrote: »

Starbucks coffee is tasteless. Just a place for the hipsters to hang out and shoot the breeze.

I went mad during the Celtic Tiger - well, to the extent that one day when I was in Dundrum Town Centre, I went in and bought a Starbucks cappuccino and sat down and drank it. This was true extravagance for me, seeing as I'd always figured it made economic sense to wait the 15 mins or so it took me to drive back home to Bray and make my own beverage.

Other people bought apartments in Bulgaria, I bought coffee in Starbucks.

Anyway, I remember the disappointment at the taste of the Starbucks cappuccino. Since then, I've only bothered with iced coffees whenever I lose the run of myself and visit such estabishments. Actually, McDonald's caramel frappuccinos are just as good as Starbucks, i.m.o.

BUT - I'd rather the hipsters hung out and shot the breeze in Bray than going elsewhere. Any business for Bray is welcome.

Creamy Goodness

As someone who frequents 3FE (regarded by most as the best coffee place in Ireland) on a weekly basis this may sound odd but you could do a lot worse (especially in Bray for sure) than McDonald's coffee.

Whilst I don't like Starbucks personally, it's surely better than another €2 shops on the Main Street

SparkySpitfire

I've heard Starbucks is going into where KFC used to be.

Although I for one am NOT looking forward to its arrival. How can small local businesses compete with this? Their coffee isn't great but the marketing and prestige will make people go in. Yeah sure it's good that another business is opening in Bray but if it's at the expense of two others? Not so sure it's a good idea.

On the other hand, a new coffee dock has opened (since about 3 weeks ago) in Mrs. Maguire's Sweet Shop. Mr Coffee is in the same premises but with a different man running it than the sweets. It sells Pure Gusto coffee (another small Irish business) and does delivery to anywhere around the Main Street.

geewiz

gerbilgranny wrote: »

BUT - I'd rather the hipsters hung out and shot the breeze in Bray than going elsewhere. Any business for Bray is welcome.

That's the most important point, I'd say. Starbucks will be the first place in Bray where we hipsters can actually plug in our laptops, so I'll happily stop going elsewhere. I'm quite addicted to their Chai Latte (which is as much a "tea" as, say, a Coke is, but WTH), and I'd rather walk to Main Street and leave my money there than drive to Dublin.

Also, the big brand name will give Bray even more credibility as a place for doing business.

Cheeky Chops

Starbucks will bring some credibility to Bray's Main Street. I love Campo etc but I don't like Main Street. That area in Dun Laoghaire under the shopping centre has already made it more inviting for other businesses. Also love the free wifi if working on the move.

Obviously I would hate to see any independents going. I still think Bray has the potential to be full of quirky shops like The Lanes in Brighton - destination shopping and food.

No hipsters allowed

ongarboy

SparkySpitfire wrote: »

I've heard Starbucks is going into where KFC used to be.

.

Has the KFC from Quinsboro Road closed down??

foxy06

ongarboy wrote: »

Has the KFC from Quinsboro Road closed down??

Yes closed a while now.

The way the town is changing is great - ok most of the improvements have been nearer the seafront but this will surely spread. 5 years ago I wouldn't have stayed in bray to eat but there's so many options now at any time of day. Long may it last!

zoobizoo

foxy06 wrote: »

Yes closed a while now.

The way the town is changing is great - ok most of the improvements have been nearer the seafront but this will surely spread. 5 years ago I wouldn't have stayed in bray to eat but there's so many options now at any time of day. Long may it last!

Carpe Diem's menu this week looks really good.

foxy06

Haven't tried there yet but have heard good things. Great reviews on trip advisor.

zoobizoo

Menu changes every Friday for the specials.. lovely place. Friendly staff. Good Italian craft beers. I like their 10.5 red wine.... hits the spot

Annasopra

foxy06 wrote: »

Yes closed a while now.

The way the town is changing is great - ok most of the improvements have been nearer the seafront but this will surely spread. 5 years ago I wouldn't have stayed in bray to eat but there's so many options now at any time of day. Long may it last!

Yeah it got the purple flag too!

sallymomo

foxy06 wrote: »

Yes closed a while now.

The way the town is changing is great - ok most of the improvements have been nearer the seafront but this will surely spread. 5 years ago I wouldn't have stayed in bray to eat but there's so many options now at any time of day. Long may it last!

Completely agree, said this during the summer!
My only issue now is that Campo is going :mad::mad::mad::(:(:(

Alun

sallymomo wrote: »

My only issue now is that Campo is going :mad::mad::mad::(:(:(

What? Where did you hear this?

Dr Strange

sallymomo wrote: »

My only issue now is that Campo is going :mad::mad::mad::(:(:(

Please elaborate. That would be terrible if true. I thought it was doing well as it is always busy?

Annasopra

Which campo is closing? Campo di fiori facing finnbees? Campo ristomarket facing carpe diem?

sallymomo

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news people...I was only there on Friday night and no mention of it...
Probably against the charter to post links to other sites so a sentence from Daft:(No sign of the Ristomarket up for sale yet)

The owners of the restaurant, currently trading as Campo de Fiori Restaurant & Wine Bar are moving on to new projects and this provides an ideal opportunity for interested parties to acquire one
of the best known, busiest and longest trading restaurants in Bray. Since opening in 2004, the restaurant has enjoyed 10 years of excellent trade. The restaurant is very well located on Strand Road (The Seafront) in an accessible, popular and sought after location in Bray. The area is well served by a host of local amenities and services including sops, hotels, Bray SeaWorld etc. and the area is well served by public transport with links to the surrounding areas and Dublin city centre via the DART and Dublin bus.