Two new restaurants and a cafe to open up on same Limerick street

IT WAS a bad week for the city centre with concerns escalating over Noel’s Menswear and the closure of Starbucks on Thomas Street but the positive news is that three empty units have been let on the same thoroughfare.

Gordon Kearney, managing director of Rooney Auctioneers, confirms two new restaurants and a coffee shop will open this autumn on Thomas Street.

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Mr Kearney said Limerick’s first Vietnamese restaurant - Big Bowl PHO - will commence operations in the former home of O’Connor’s from 1985 to 2020 and latterly Oahu eateries.

“They hope to open up late September / early October. They are people who are well established in the restaurant business. It will be Limerick's first Vietnamese restaurant which we welcome into the city,” said Mr Kearney.

The second commercial space to be occupied is still colloquially known as the old Xtra-vision between CoqBull and Sambros.

“I’m delighted to report that Zambrero Mexican restaurant is opening their first city centre unit. They're already open in Castletroy across from The Hurlers pub and doing exceptionally well out there. They hope to open up later this autumn with a whole new fit-out of the property being undertaken,” said Mr Kearney.

Thirdly, the former Habit and O’Brien’s location on the corner is being taken over by an excellent local coffee operator, said Mr Kearney.

“He hopes to be open in early October. There was strong interest in it but there was some landlord works required to the property - that’s why it was vacant for a year,” said Mr Kearney, who adds that these additions to Thomas Street will further enhance its offering as a culinary and caffeine “destination”. 

“You have a nice cluster of bistros, cafes and restaurants,” said Mr Kearney. The Rooney Auctioneers head of commercial property is confident that the former Starbucks unit on Thomas Street will find a new tenant relatively quickly.

“It's a great corner, a great profile, and it's a fantastic building. I've already had people calling me on that unit,” said Mr Kearney.

The closure of Starbucks followed concerns over Noel’s Menswear with branches in Bedford Row in the city centre,  Crescent Shopping Centre, and  Newcastle West. It is a long-running family business, selling menswear and children’s wear for more than 40 years.

Its three branches have not opened since the start of the month, sparking concern and confusion among parents and schools who would regularly purchase school uniforms from the firm. Wickham Properties, the trading name of Noel’s Menswear, is the subject of a winding-up petition.

“It is sad news to hear about Noel’s Menswear. I'm hoping it will be reopened. It is a blow for the city centre to lose an excellent men's clothes shop,” said Mr Kearney.

Despite the mixed news he said he is optimistic that the city is going in the right direction. 

“It has got its issues but when you see the recent reports that you had in the paper about the extra guards coming to Limerick - that'll make a big difference. We need guards on the beat. 

“Verizon are filling out their staff in the city. You're going to see the benefits of those 400 to 600 people being welcomed in the city, shopping, eating and dining in the city and have their coffee. 

“So overall, my outlook for the city is very positive, but there's still work to be done,” concluded Mr Kearney.