Be careful when you go into Spendlove to buy an ice cream: you might come out with a brand-new kitchen. The popular coffee shop and ice-cream parlour, on the new marina in Greystones, Co Wicklow, doubles as a kitchen showroom.
“I’m told I’m the first kitchen company in Ireland to put a coffee shop into a kitchen showroom,” says owner Nigel Spendlove. “You literally sit at my display island and have your coffee.”
The shop is perfectly situated at the end of the cliff walk from Bray to Greystones, so walkers can stop in and grab a coffee, roasted by McCabe’s in Newtownmountkennedy, a homemade chocolate brownie with ice cream, or one of the ever-popular 99s. The shop also does milkshakes and a Sunday dessert of fresh strawberries or raspberries with ice cream.
“The kids are driving the parents to us now,” says Spendlove.
As far as the kitchen business is concerned, Spendlove finds that a 99 can sometimes smooth the way to a sale. “People can come in and have a coffee, have a look, see some photographs of what we’ve done and take a brochure without having me pouncing on them. I did have a lady from Templeogue on her first visit to Greystones in 32 years; she came in for a 99 and ended up buying a kitchen.”
The new marina in Greystones, says Spendlove, is one of the few deep-water marinas on the east coast. It is within reach of boats setting out from the west coast of England and Wales. Access to Greystones is also good. “Pull off the N11 from Delgany and you’re on your boat in five minutes,” says Spendlove.
Sailing, however, is not Spendlove’s passion – he and his sons, Simon and Jonathan, are motorbike enthusiasts. “We’re petrol heads. This is my 41st consecutive year doing motorcross. My brother Malcolm was three-times Irish grass-track champion, and my youngest brother, Lloyd, has previously been Irish rallycross champion in the car. And the last championship I won was the Evolution championship in 2009.”
With the business now running seven days a week, it’s harder for Spendlove to get out of the kitchen showroom and on to his Suzuki 250, but as long as people are in need of a 99 – or a kitchen – he will be on hand to help.
99 updates
Megan Flanagan has emailed her nomination of Eddie O’Reilly’s in Virginia, Co Cavan. “O’Reilly’s cones are a favourite among the young and old of Virginia town. I remember the much-appreciated treat of these cold, creamy delicacies, courtesy of my granny. The mouth-watering taste of this frozen cream, whipped into perfection, is enough to have anyone’s taste buds tingling with delight. And with the lake not far away, your 99 can be enjoyed as you take in the spectacular scenery of the lough and surrounding forest.”
To get involved, email best99@irishtimes.com, tweet or Instagram your photos using #best99 and download Showoff’s free 99 Finder app
