Out With The Olde And In With The New: Well-Known Sweet Shop Makes Way For New Hotel

A well-known sweet shop in Dublin city is about to be replaced by a new six-storey hotel.

Developer Gerry Conlan submitted an application last year to develop a new 39-bedroom hotel on the site that faces onto Dame and Eustace streets, as first reported by Fora.ie

Conlan bought the building for around €1.9M in 2016 and also purchased a nearby five-storey building at 37 Dame St. for €1.6M last year.

The building is already occupied by U.K. confectionary chain Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe and pizza restaurant Skinflint — a sister restaurant of other Dublin eateries Crackbird and JoBurger, owned by local businessman Kevin Macken.

Conlan secured permission from Dublin City Council to change the use of the existing building from a restaurant, shop and office building to develop a new hotel.

In addition, a floor will be added to the building. There will also be a new glazed structure on top of the development which will also contain hotel bedrooms.

A sign posted in the window of Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe’s Dame Street store stated that the business will be moving premises soon. 

“Due to circumstances beyond our control, we will have to close down our Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe,” the sign said. “Good news is we are moving to Ilac Shopping Centre. Thank you to all our loyal customers for the support throughout the years."

Macken lodged an objection to the development in October.

In his appeal to the council, Macken claimed the proposed development infringed on the lease he had agreed with the landlord for the premises.

The popular restaurant Crackbird was located in the premises but Macken moved his pizza joint Skinflint into the buildings last year when Crackbird relocated to South William Street.