More Munchies For Our Main Street

Menlo TUES15OCT24

iven that our main street is one of the busiest in de land, it’s hardly surprising that the last few remaining family homes are constantly being converted from pleasure to business.

One of those last family homes, Mount View, became Camile, and Waverly has now become Caladh, whilst the 100-year-old Helena and Mentone cottages are deep in the process of rebuilds as eateries, offices, shops or maybe even a wine bar.

Sure, even historical garages around here aren’t immune to a bit of the ol’ gourmet gentrification, as the much-loved Davis Motors is now the much-hyped Church Of Bread 41.

And now, Church Road looks set to get two brand new businesses. Just what they might be, hey, that is the $64 million-plus-property-tax-and-nutty-rates question.

The former Bushfield House sidekick that became Mooch, then Larry’s then Sonny’s Jr was back on the market last month for about three minutes before a new tenant – said to be awfully, waffly nice – was in serious talks about the lease. Despite the €30,000 a year rent. Estate agent is the neighbouring Schnittger Bourne – details here.

And now, just across the road, the majestic Menlo is about to go from family home to main street business too, with a planning application this month filed by one TGC Cold Foods Ltd.

Which suggests to GG’s incredible perceptive noggin that they may be planning something to do with food.

Filed with Wicklow Planning on October 9th 2024, application no.2460620 reads…

The partial demolition of existing structure to rear of existing dwelling (84.5m²). Proposed change of use from residential dwelling to commercial use. Construction of two storey extension to rear and side of existing dwelling (246m²). Proposed signage to front elevation. Along with associated site works necessary to complete this development including service connections, boundary treatments and landscaping.

Feel the Menlove…

Submissions are due by November 12th, and the decision arrives on December 3rd, with further details over on the Wicklow Planning website right here.

And as for TGC Cold Foods Ltd, sure, isn’t that the lovely Greystones duo Kevin and Lindsay, who have made such a spectacular job of The Brass Fox and O’Shea’s Corner down in Wicklow Town.

“We plan to deliver a beautifully-designed Edwardian bar and restaurant at Menlo” Kevin tells your snoreaway Guide, joining our cover story late, “using the original features of the existing property, which will be carefully restored. We’ll be adding antique mirrors, lamps, clocks, curiosities and traditional snugs.”

Sold! We could do with another groovy bar to hop to around here. And worth noting, these are the groovy feckers who won Tourist Bar Of The Year (for a second year in a row), Gastro Bar Of The Year and Outside Space Of The Year back in August. More on The Brass Fox here, more on O’Shea’s Corner here.

In the meantime, we’ve said it thrice, and we’ll say it again – we sure is spoilt for choice around here. So, use ’em before you lose ’em, people.

You can check out Greystones’ restaurants and cafés here, our takeaways here, and our shops right here.