A popular shoe repair shop in the heart of Dublin city centre is set to close its doors for the final time today after over 80 years in business.
Curran's Shoe Repairs, which is located just off Baggot Street, opened in 1937 by Michael Curran, and it was later run by Hugh Miley in the 1960s, and finally, it is now run by Hugh’s son John Miley. The shop has a rich history, having resoled the shoes of every Taoiseach from Eamon de Valera to Enda Kenny.
However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, rising costs and a lack of footfall with many people still working from home, the much loved shop is forced to close its doors. Speaking to Dublin Live, owner John Miley explained that the store has been open for over 80 years.
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He said: "The shop opened by a man called Michael Curran, he learned his apprenticeship up in Artane. He did a stint up there and came here to open the shop in 1937, he employed eight families and my father came on board in around 1960-odd.
"I came in here when I was 10-years-of age, I came in full time at 16 until today. "
Well-wishers have been coming into the shop all day to wish John the best. John said that he has no plans going forward, but that he is going to "take four or five weeks off."
"The customers were the shop, this was brick and mortar. I have the knowledge in my head, it was the customers that came in to talk that gave the atmosphere that created this friendship that we all had," added John.
When asked about why the beloved store is closing, John explained: "I knew immediately once Covid kicked in that Dublin city does not run without money, we used to open from 8:30am in the morning to 6:20pm then during Covid I was open two or three hours.
"Then when the offices seemingly started opening again we realised the footfall was never going to come back. Then when the footfall never came back dress code was smart casual, a nice pair of jeans, a nice pair of shoes sailing shoes etc. I needed the Grensons, the Barkers, the Church, the ladies Gucci, Louboutin, all the high-end stuff that I dealt with never came back."
John also said that last year his electricity bill was an average of €140 for two months, and when using less electricity the bill went up to €244. He explained: "Your heating, your electricity, your leather and the delay on stuff with Brexit, and stuff getting caught in the UK. We couldn't get shoe accessories, polishes, laces, all bits and pieces that would make a couple of hundred pound here."
John also explained that the original machinery from the 1930s which includes key cutters and resoling machines will now find a safe home in the Moynalty Steam Threshing Museum in Co Meath where they will be restored by John and the Men’s Shed connected to the museum.
After an appeal on RTE's Liveline on Tuesday for help transporting the equipment, Cronin Movers got in contact with John offering to help. Soon, people started turning up at the shop offering their assistance in dismantling and packing up as well.
Curran’s will close at 4pm this Wednesday, July 27 for the last time.
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