Frawley's department store closes its doors to the public for the final time on June 2nd, bringing the curtain down on 115 years of trading in Dublin's Liberties.
There will no doubt be many tears shed on the day by staff, some of whom have almost 40 years' service, as well as stallholders on Thomas Street.
However, one person who is unlikely to have his handkerchief out is John Clohissy, a Frawley's director, who is better-known as part owner of the BWG cash and carry group and a number of Spar convenience stores.
The latest accounts filed for Dill Limited, which operates Frawley's, lists Clohissy as the owner of the three buildings on Thomas Street from where the department store operates. Frawley's paid him rent of €150,000 on these buildings in the year to the end of January 2006.
Estate agents have put a €10 million price tag on Frawley's properties.
It takes a lot of polyester garments and household knick-knacks to earn that type of money.
It's a tidy sum, but the estimate could be conservative given the buildings' close proximity to the city centre and the gradual regeneration of the local area.
Clohissy could choose to redevelop the site himself, in which case the smart money would be on a shiny new Spar opening there in the not-too-distant future.
