We’re window shopping in Best Shops today. For a sugar rush take a look at the window of Scoopy’s Sweets and Ice Cream in Armagh writes Ciera Grimley because “it themes its displays to meet every town event, recently winning first place in a window display competition” for their interpretation of the ‘Big Start’ of the Giro d’Italia, which pushed off its pedals in Northern Ireland and travelled through the orchard county before heading for Dublin. Their winning design was a cardboard bike frame filled in with pink sweets.
Bailey’ Framing and Gifts, New Ross has an authentic facade and interior that is much the same as it was a hundred years ago, writes Adrian O’Connor. “It sells artisan handmade crafts, pictures and household ornaments. It is a successful, indigenous local business that has survived the on-going homogenisation of many of Ireland streets and towns. It is a true gem and is lovingly maintained.”
That feeling is also expressed in the Best Service category. This year more than ever, readers are really supporting the historic shops run by individuals who appreciate the fact that they are spending their money with them, places like Lamberts Newsagent, Carlow town’s oldest shop which has been nominated by Sonia Gibbons. “It has a beautifully preserved front, painted yearly in red and white. Inside you can buy anything from a needle to a religious icon, including the daily papers, but it is owner Beatrice Lambert-Byrne who makes your visit to the shop a pleasure. You leave not only with the bought item but with a feel good factor which cannot be bought but always readily given.”
Keep telling us about the shops that make for a great day out for you. Ten days into the competition and the nominations in this category account for only one per cent of the overall vote. Last year Kildare Farm Foods deservedly won this for its sense of theatre, something they’ve expanded on since. Tell us about the places in your area that offer a great sense of destination, a place where children are welcome and that there is something for them to do, where you can browse and people watch.
This is the third year of the Irish Times competition which launched in recession-blighted 2012. We’ve enlisted experts in their fields to sit on our judging panel, a new feature of the competition. Simon Pratt, MD of Avoca, Edmund Shanahan, a retail, fashion and homewares consultant, fashion designers and Frockadvisor columnists Sonya Lennon and Brendan Courtney and Irish Times journalist Alanna Gallagher.
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