A celebration of independent retail
Ireland’s enthusiasm and diversity as a nation owes a great deal to independent retailers, according to artist Rian Coulter. ShelfLife headed along to an exhibition Coulter held recently in the heart of Dublin’s Liberties to learn more about his views that independent retail outlets are much more than mere places of commerce, but “outlets for expression”
Print15 July 2015
The exhibition attracted a large turnout
ShelfLife has long been a supporter of independent retailers and the role stores play as community hubs within their local areas. Unsurprisingly then, when we heard about an art exhibition celebrating this very thing, our ears pricked up.
Dublin artist Rian Coulter spoke to ShelfLife about why he decided to host an exhibition on this topic. Entitled ‘Through Rose Tinted Glasses’; the event showcased trade memorabilia and was held in the heart of Dublin’s Liberties, at Larkin Bros. butchers on Meath Street on Thursday, 23 April.
Vibrant establishments
Trade memorabilia was encased in pink perspex to reflect the ‘Through rose-tinted glasses’ theme
Coulter firmly believes that independent retailers need to be celebrated and supported, if Ireland wants to avoid one-size-fits-all, homogenous high streets and shopping centres. “The proliferation of ‘grab-all retail’ supermarkets and industrial out-of-town shopping centres has played a major role in fragmenting both big urban and rural areas alike which are losing the charm, homeliness and familiarity of yesteryear,” says Coulter.
Community camaraderie
The artist also points out the important social role independent stores fulfil. According to Coulter: “The development towards an increasingly standardised/automated retail model eradicates the forum for autonomous face-to-face interaction and thus the creative endeavour that results in socially amenable relations, which have an artistic, cultural and social importance. The enthusiasm and diversity that we retain is frequently thanks to the determination, pride and passion of independent business people – from the pub to the pharmacy and everything in-between, who dispense their craft and knowledge along with a reassuring sense of camaraderie, conviviality and community-spirit so redolent of romantic Ireland.”
Contribution to society
RGDATA director general Tara Buckley, Declan Larkin and his wife Fiona Larkin of Larkin Bros. Victuallers and artist Rian Coulter
RGDATA director general Tara Buckley who opened the exhibition, strongly agrees with the event’s goals. In her opening speech, she said: “RGDATA is as busy as ever fighting the cause for family owned stores. This year, RGDATA will be highlighting the ‘True Value of the Local Shop’ in an exciting new campaign as independent shops in rural towns and villages and urban areas continue to struggle to survive.”
Butcher Declan Larkin and artist Rian Coulter
Buckley also told the impressive turnout present on the day: “Ensuring Irish owned shops are busy and profitable remains a key challenge. However their future is in all our hands. We all need to support these important local businesses by giving them our custom. Independent shops must also play their part to ensure that they attract and serve local customers, provide value, quality and a positive shopping experience.”
After all it is certainly no mean feat to survive as an independent retailer in Ireland’s current competitive climate. “All independent shops throughout the country have to be extremely well managed if they are to take on the challenge from the German and British global multiples,” Buckley added.
Fitting send-off
With a hearty BBQ sizzling away outside, Larkin Bros. was jam-packed on the day of the event. Locals were able to nostalgically reflect on Coulter’s collection of memorabilia – encased in pink perspex cases to reflect the ‘Through rose-tinted glasses’ theme – while at the same time, no-one went hungry. Sadly however, the event was a bittersweet one, because it also fulfilled a dual function as a fitting send-off for the iconic Larkin Bros. shop, which closed shortly after the exhibition.
Located on a street famed for its independent retailers, the store had a rich history. Brothers Paul and Declan Larkin took over Larkin’s from their father, who first set up shop back in the 1940s. The closure of a butchers which was viewed as a local institution, serves to further demonstrate the truth behind Buckley’s declaration that the future of independent retail lies “in all our hands”. If Ireland as a nation really wants independent retailers to succeed, we need to take off the rose-tinted glasses and put our money where our mouth is.
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