January Sales

When I first moved from the States, I was confused my the concept of January sales. Didn’t the stores have big sales all year? You know, President’s Day Sale, March Madness Sale, Memorial Day Sale, Back To School Sale, Columbus Day Sale, Black Friday Sale, Post-Christmas Sale,… Evidently, big sales are not commonplace here so January is the time to shop. The rest of the year, you may see special deals, promotions, or sale racks, but the big store-wide sales and massive deals are from December 26 (see photo below of the 7am queue at NEXT Opera Lane this year) through the end of January. As I learned, by late January it’s pretty “well picked over”. And for some things, it’s even picked over by Noon on December 26th (like Brown Thomas’s handbag department). But that doesn’t mean it’s not a good time to plan ahead. This year, I picked up a warm puffy coat for baby for around a tenner for next winter as well as some gifts for a group holiday gift exchange (this group does its exchange at Women’s Little Christmas).

It is especially great to shop the sales when doing a price-limit gift exchange because the same amount of money goes further. My recipient this year received a silver pendant on a leather necklace from Monsoon, basting sauce from M&S, cable knit slipper socks from NEXT, two glass ramekins from a gourmet store, snowflake tissues from NEXT, and a sequin belt/scarf/handband from Monsoon (plus jelly beans from the States).

But why are the sales just in January? I have no idea but I have embraced it.

A Tale of Two Queues: St. Stephen’s Day Shopping

My memories of St. Stephen’s Day (or Boxing Day as we called it growing up in the States) are of my Mom and my early morning starts to shop the sales. We always started at Lord & Taylor (often after a strategy session at Dunkin Donuts with friends). The big draw was their Christmas decorations and high-end clothing (Ralph Lauren, for one). As years went by, our companions changed until one day it was no longer a friend and her mother, but my mother-in-law then, after moving to Ireland, my husband.

Our first Christmas as expats, we celebrated in London with a Dickens-focused walk on Christmas Day followed by an amazing Italian dinner. The year after that, we spent in Cork City. Last year, Morocco. Almost every St. Stephen’s Day, however, included shopping unique to the city we were in and a reminder that sometimes we buy just to buy since when luggage space is limited, I bought less.

2007: Just before moving to Ireland, we celebrated Christmas with both our families in Washington, D.C. The day after Christmas ritual was enjoyed with my Mom and mother-in-law. We chose to focus our energy on the shops in the Friendship Heights neighborhood of D.C. and visited Lord & Taylor, of course, plus J.Crew, LOFT, and the other classic favorites of ours. My favorite items of the day were a pair of flannel-lined chinos from J.Crew and a camel-hued coat from LOFT. The coat is a regular favorite when it’s not raining and in that middle temperature. It says “dry clean only” but I washed it and the world didn’t end.

2008: In London, I met up with a friend from California, Katie, and along with a friend of hers we hit Kensington High Street while my beloved husband watched a match in a pub with a few good British beers. We later hit Regent or Oxford Street (I get them confused) for a little more shopping. It was mayhem, but a novelty and a convenient excuse to duck in from the below-freezing cold. Of all the things I bought, two items actually get used the most, a cardigan from Next and a turtleneck from H&M. Both are green.

2009: Our St. Stephen’s Day in Cork City was just as chilly, but with more familiar shopping options. We started at Next on Opera Lane then to Debenham’s and finally Brown Thomas. That year, Next opened at 7am and I found a couple useless pieces of clothing I “had to have” plus a fairly practical clutch purse. My favorite item of the day was definitely a dress my husband bought me at Brown Thomas. I actually wore it to this year’s Chef Factor party at The Grain Store at Ballymaloe (two weeks after giving birth to my wonderful son). Gotta love a dress that is designed to be forgiving without looking like it’s forgiving any flaws.

2010: Last year brought a very different shopping trip since Morocco isn’t know for their outlet malls or high street. Ah, but they are known for their souk markets! We spent the day exploring the souk in Marrakech. Amazing! We didn’t buy too many things, but did manage to come away with some saffron, Moroccan tea leaves, and tagine spices.

Now, having given you a rather personal (and probably dull to you) run-down of my last four St. Stephen’s Day, you can guess this year will be a departure from previous years since I have a new baby to share my schedule. That and I peeked at the queue at Next just as they opened and it was crazy! Here, you can compare the queue at opening in 2009 to this morning’s and see for yourself. Then I’d love to hear what your favorite places are for St. Stephen’s Day shopping or if you have a different ritual to mark the day.

7:00 a.m. on December 26, 2009

6:00 a.m. on December 26, 2011

For those of you looking for St. Stephen’s Day 2011 store opening hours for shops on Opera Lane, here’s what I know…

Next: 6am – FACT
River Island: 8am ?
Gap: 8am - FACT (all sale sweaters are €15)
TopShop: 10:45-11am
H&M: 9am ?
New Look: 8am ?

Opera Lane Welcomes Tommy Hilfiger Store

This morning, Tommy Hilfiger opened the doors of its new Opera Lane store to customers for the first time. The new store on Patrick’s Street offers Corkonians what the store on Oliver Plunkett cannot – space!

Opera Lane is Getting a New Look

Today at 10:00 a.m., Opera Lane (formerly Faulkner’s Lane) in Cork City Centre will be welcoming its newest retail addition to the family, New Look. The first 100 people to enter the new store at its opening will receive a €10 gift certificate!

Please note that though the store usually will open at 9:00 a.m. most days, the special grand opening will take place at 10:00 a.m. today.

Once the information has been confirmed, this store’s contact information and hours will be added to the Opera Lane Store Directory I compiled. If you have used this directory, please comment. It took me a bit of time to put together and knowing it is proving to be useful for others would make my day. I’ve noticed that the official Opera Lane website now has some store telephone numbers listed, so that is also a nice resource to bookmark.

Opera Lane Store Directory

Opera Lane seems to have something new every day now. With large shops popping up nearly every day, it is a nice spot for Christmas shopping or just an afternoon browse. We have a few separate posts about Opera Lane shops so this post summarizes those with links to each and has a bit about the other shops that have grown as well. Early posts about the shopping haven are vague, but enthusiasm was high. Fall Into The Gap at Opera Lane was one such post. All my favorite photos of Opera Lane (formerly Faulkner’s Lane) are in the FreckledPast Opera Lane set on Flickr.

Rumors are flying about what the empty retail units will be. The end unit facing Patrick’s Street (by the Evening Echo newsboy statue) is supposedly to be a Tommy Hilfiger store. This information is based on a form that is visible in the window stating Hilfiger enterprises plans to have a lighted sign for the property. If you just can’t wait, there is a new Hilfiger store at Mahon Point (Cork Independent, 3 December 2009). Another empty shop is suspected to be food-related, probably because there is no cafe yet open in the lane.

To help with your shopping, here is a list of the stores in the new Opera Lane shopping complex on Faulkner’s Lane in Cork City centre. Each store’s hours and telephone number are included as well as a link to shop online, if possible, and a brief comment from me about the store PLUS linking to my other posts related to that shop.

CC VIYELLA
Hours: OPEN AS OF NOON ON THURSDAY, 10 DECEMBER
Shop Online Phone: Once confirmed, this information will be posted here.
This women’s clothing boutique has nice pieces for those who may usually enjoy the likes of Wallis. Debenham’s, Brown Thomas, or Donna Karan.

COMPU B
Hours: Mon/Tue/Wed/Sat 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thu/Fri 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun Noon-6 p.m..  (Starting 28 Nov.)
Shop Online Phone: 1850 66 8888
Apple store wishes were partially answered when Opera Lane welcomed Compu b. As an authorized Apple retailer, they carry the weight of Apple expertise and carry a wide selection of computers and computer accessories – so it’s all about Apple on Opera Lane. A side note is that if you don’t find it at Compu b, look at Cartridge Kiosk on Castle Street (they seem to have all the little things like USB keys and dual layer DVDs).

FUSION FLOWERS TO GO  CLOSED
Hours: Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu/Fri/Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Starting first week of Dec.)
Phone: Once confirmed this information will be posted here.
Floral arrangements and flowers to-go for your special someone. Special event orders are also possible.

GAP
Hours: Mon/Tue/Wed/Sat 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thu 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun Noon-6 p.m..  (Starting 12 Nov.)
Shop Online Phone: 021-4278230
Store # 2764
Men, women, and children can find classic styles with a contemporary twist at the new Gap store. A couple weekend discount sales make up for the otherwise high prices (this coming from an American who is used to their sale and outlet prices). Well-lighted though not as large as other Gap stores I’ve visited.

H&M
Hours: Mon/Tue/Wed 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thu/Sat 9 a.m.-7  p.m.; Fri 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-6 p.m.. (Starting 1 Oct.)
Shop Online Phone: 021-4223510
Trendy fashions for men, women, and children at reasonable prices offered by this popular Swedish retailer. First mentioned in our mid-August post then again in mid-September. My first shopping experience at this three-level store was more like a weird 80’s flashback. I lived through that era of neon and pastel punk once yet it seems to be back for another round. The next visit showed more classically-styled choices. Overall, if you are looking for a few affordable pieces to add pizzaz to your wardrobe, check this shop out.

KUYICHI

NEW LOOK
Hours: Mon/Tue/Wed 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thu/Fri 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (Starting 22 Jan.)
Shop Online Phone: Once confirmed this information will be posted here.
Grand opening on Friday, 22 January. Brings budget-minded shopping balance to Opera Lane. Three floors of apparel, including women, tall (YES!!!), children, maternity, and men.

NEWSTALK RADIO STUDIO
Hours: Regular radio spots (Starting 7 Dec.)
NewsTalk (106-108 FM radio) is present on Opera Lane with George Hook’s The Right Hook (Mondays 4:30-7:30 p.m.) as well as other shows  broadcasting live from a spot between Gap and Next. The broadcasts can be heard outside in the lane.

NEXT
Hours: Mon/Tue/Wed 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thu/Fri 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Starting 7 Dec.)
Shop Online Phone: 021-4204000
With things for home and wardrobe, this shop has your needs covered. Store location detailed here.
Will be open on Christmas Eve and Saint Stephen’s Day.

RIVER ISLAND
Hours: Mon/Tue/Wed/Sat 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thu/Fri 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun Noon-6 p.m.  (Starting 1 Dec.)
Shop Online Phone: 021-4278284  or  0818333078
River Island relocated from Patrick’s Street to Opera Lane and is situated beside TopShop.

TOMMY HILFIGER
Hours:  Mon/Tue/Wed 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thu 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat/Sun Noon-6 p.m. (as of 1 Apr.)
Shop Online Phone: 021-4273478
Three floors of apparel for men, women, and children at this location.

TOPSHOP & TOPMAN
Hours: Mon/Tue/Wed 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thu/Fri 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-6 p.m..  (Starting 28 Nov.)
Shop Online Phone: Once confirmed this information will be posted here.
Anchoring the Opera Lane shopping complex on the side closest to the Crawford Gallery and Opera House, TopShop & TopMan is situated across from H&M. The three-level store features a ‘shoe lounge’.

Around the corner are two other perennial favorites: Boots and Meadows & Byrne:

BOOTS
Hours: Mon/Sat 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Tue 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Wed/Thu/Fri 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-6 p.m.  (Starting 5 Dec.)
Shop Online Phone: 021-4273736
The largest Boots store in Munster!

MEADOWS & BYRNE
Hours: Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun Noon-6 p.m.
Shop Online Phone: 021-4272324
Elegant and fun housewares, table accessories, and lovely hostess gifts. More affordable than I expected it to be.

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River Island is Moving Upstream

Patrick’s Street’s River Island shop will close its doors to customers and take a break to pack for their move. On Tuesday, 1 December the shop will reopen at its new home, 12 Opera Lane.

Look for all the details on Opera Lane (formerly Faulkner’s Lane) and its shops in our thorough Opera Lane Store Directory post.

Opera Lane Welcomes Compu b

The queue started accumulating on the doorstep of Opera Lane’s Compu b store an hour before the grand opening and by 11:00 a.m. people lined up beyond Gap to get a first glimpse into the Apple-focused retailer. Needless to say, I snapped a few pics.

Opening day specials include 11% discounts and goody bags with tee-shirts and a Crumpler keychain. After ten minutes waiting for the doors to open, we entered. Much to my surprise (nearly shock), the owner (?) was on-hand at the door greeting and shaking the hand of EVERY SINGLE SHOPPER entering the new store.

Unfortunately, it was too crowded for us to reach the backpacks and satchels (what I’ve been needing for my MacBook), so we decided to return another day for our bag buy and, sadly, forego the discount. But we were thrilled to see the retailer come to Cork City and in this economic climate it’s nice to see a store doing brisk business.
Look for all the details on Opera Lane (formerly Faulkner’s Lane) and its shops in our thorough Opera Lane Store Directory post.

For your convenience and reference, the store’s contact information is included below:

Compu b

17 Opera Lane, Patrick’s Street

LoCall: 1850 66 8888

Email: sales@compub.com

TopShop, TopMan, Top Opening

This morning a cheery crowd gathered in front of TopShop and TopMan on Opera Lane for its grand opening. With O’Conaill’s Chocolatier’s cocoa-on-the-go cart beside the front entrance, greeters handed out discount coupons until the doors opened at ten o’clock.

Once inside, the three-level store was crowded with shoppers. The street level was the most populated with young ladies laden with armloads of apparel seeking out the fitting rooms. This was a crowd ready to shop! TopShop not only brought the clothes that the citizens of Cork seem to want (please, don’t get me started on 80′s revival fashion), but the encouragement of Opera Lane as an economic boom to the city. This is a piece from the Cork Independent about the store opening and TopShop’s decision to join the retail section of the O’Callaghan Properties complex.

Look for all the details on Opera Lane (formerly Faulkner’s Lane) and its shops in our thorough Opera Lane Store Directory post.

For your convenience and reference, here is TopShop and TopMan Opera Lane store hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 9am-6pm
Thursday, Friday: 9am-9pm
Saturday: 9am-7pm
Sunday: 11am-6pm

Entrance of TopShop and TopMan at Opera Lane in Cork City

TopShop’s website has not yet been updated to include the Cork store and Ireland’s shops seem to be listed under their UK retail operations.