Vivian opens his door to 38th year
When Vivian Clarke opens his shop door in Newbridge this morning he's beginning his 38th year in business, writes Brian Byrne.
The enterprise established all those years ago by brothers Vivian and Brian Clarke is one of the landmark shops on the main street of mid-Kildare's busiest town.
Even if they're not in to buy on any given day, customers from over the years will always stop for a chat with Vivian (Brian retired nine years ago) when on their way up or down the street. It's a social centre as much as a retail mens clothing emporium, and whether the subject is amateur drama, football, or whatever ... even, or especially, clothing ... there's always an excuse to do what now seems so difficult in a frenetic world, pass the time of day with a friend.
When he and Brian decided to set up on their own, it was in the days when you could still talk to a bank manager at a local level, and with some money raised by a helpful Bank of Ireland, and 'a bit of cash put in my hand as a loan' by Vivian's late mother in law, Alice Coleman, they got the shop off the ground.
The enterprise established all those years ago by brothers Vivian and Brian Clarke is one of the landmark shops on the main street of mid-Kildare's busiest town.
Even if they're not in to buy on any given day, customers from over the years will always stop for a chat with Vivian (Brian retired nine years ago) when on their way up or down the street. It's a social centre as much as a retail mens clothing emporium, and whether the subject is amateur drama, football, or whatever ... even, or especially, clothing ... there's always an excuse to do what now seems so difficult in a frenetic world, pass the time of day with a friend.
When he and Brian decided to set up on their own, it was in the days when you could still talk to a bank manager at a local level, and with some money raised by a helpful Bank of Ireland, and 'a bit of cash put in my hand as a loan' by Vivian's late mother in law, Alice Coleman, they got the shop off the ground.
Clarke's Menswear has seen lots of changes in the last 37 years, and weathered ups and downs of many kinds, including the lockdowns of the last 17 month. But one thing hasn't changed, the welcome at the door.
So if you're passing today, pop in and say 'hi'.
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