A Gentleman’s Outfitters

My Grandad Bertie (Albert) Griffin in his shop, number 14 Exchequer Street, a men’s specialist which sold shirts, ties, socks, underwear and men’s accessories. Photo taken by my Dad: Arnold Griffin.

I have delved into many family stories here on Ruaruth and now its my turn. My fascination with fashion history and the rag-trade district around South William Street in Dublin was really born from stories of my Grandad’s shop on Exchequer Street. He was the proprietor of a men’s specialist shop from 1945 to 1977 and began his career in the rag-trade in 1940 working for ‘Mitchell’s of Exchequer Street’ and later took it over from the owner.

I have always loved to hear stories about the shop not only because it is part of my family history but because the shop still exists (in a far trendier incarnation today as mens shoe store Genius) so it is easy to imagine my Grandad and my Dad working there and how the shop might have looked. It still retains its gorgeous Victorian shop-front which is part of the South City Markets building. The shop has curved glass panels and stained glass windows and mosaic tiles in the doorway which still says Exchequer Shop when you cross the threshold. (See pictured below).

To find out more about the shop I asked my Dad- Arnie- who worked in the shop as a teenager. I am lucky because Dad is a history teacher and has always been an avid photographer and recorder of history. He took photos of my Grandad the year he retired in 1977 inside of the shop and has kept a lot of items from the store. So without further ado, here’s the story of my Grandad and number 14 Exchequer Street…

Ruaruth: Describe your memory of  Grandad’s shop?

Dad: The pictures I took in 1977  (above) are a good representation of what I remember the shop to look like. There was a long wooden counter to the right-side of the shop with ties on display. He sold all sorts especially specialist men’s accessories like Trinity and UCD ties, dixie bows, shirts, underwear, socks, knitwear and some tailoring. When customers entered the shop there were two chairs people would sit down on to rest their feet or to wait to be served. There was an open fireplace to heat the shop which later evolved into a gas-fire. There was a bell at the door and as soon as someone came in he would get up from the back and go out and greet them. People didn’t look at the shelves or browse like they do today- they were served. Customers would look through  the stock on offer and good customers could take things on appro to try on at home. Sometimes men wouldn’t even come  into the shop they would stand outside and the women would come in and out and show items for approval and their wives would finalise the transaction.

Grandad behind the counter of 14 Exchequer Street. The shop in 2014 now a men’s shoe store Genius. The Exchequer Shop mosaic on the entrance.

Ruaruth: What was a-day-in-the-life of the shop like?

Dad: We lived in Rathmines so my father would take the short drive into town, open up and start the day by reading The Irish Times. We had gates on the front to protect the premises  which had to be removed and put in the back of the shop every morning. I was often sent to Temple Bar or to South William Street to Ferrier Pollock  and different wholesalers to stock up on items we needed like white shirts, underwear and ties. The busiest time of the day could be anytime but usually mid-morning to mid-afternoon. He would take lunch in the back around 1pm. Lots of commerical travellers would drop in and people he knew would join him for a cup of tea in the back. He closed the shop at 6 o’clock everyday,  for a half day Saturday and closed the shop completely on Sundays.

Ruaruth: Can you describe the shop-fit?

Dad: The shop fits were the original in late Victorian style as far as I remember. There were lots of shelves and a counter made in glass and wood. Towards the 1970s displays and visual merchandising were starting to develop and the brands would supply cardboard stands and advertisments which he had dotted around. Behind the shop there was a little office where he had his paperwork. There was no cash register just a wooden drawer and he wrote everything down in ledgers. (See the original receipt pictured below).

Ruaruth: What was Exchequer Street like when you worked in the shop in the 1960s-1970s?

Dad: There was Graham’s shoe shop and Dunnes Stores which are still there. There was also Nichols which was a small department store and Des Abbott’s he had children’s clothes shop. There was a community atmosphere on the street and people helped each other. We got broken into a couple of times and everyone on the street dropped in to show concern, on one occasion the manager of Nichols came down to show solidarity to see everything was okay, so people looked out for each other.

Ruaruth: When was the shop busiest?

Dad: The busiest time of year was without a doubt Christmas. My father took on extra people, when I was a teenager me and my best friends came on board to help serve customers. It was fun you could hear the Salvation Army playing out on the street and people would buy anything in the panic of Christmas shopping! The cheapest present that boys would buy for their father’s were arm-bands for keeping shirt sleeves in place, they were 2/6. I remember one time a man was on his knees on the ground pleading to come in (he could have had a few jars on him) when we were closing up, Christmas shopping had got the better of him!

Ruaruth: Tell me more about number 14 Exchequer Street, were there more fashion related businesses in the building?

Dad: Yes the businesses above and below were textile agents. He rented the whole premises and he let it to Magees of Donegal who had an office above the shop and fabric agents Mansfield’s were down below in the cellar.

Ruaruth: Fashion changed in the 1970s and shops like Grandad’s had tough competition, did this affect your decision to go into business?

Dad: Perhaps, but mostly I wanted to be a teacher and out of doors, the retail life was not for me, working there for summers and Christmas was enough for me.

Image from left to right: My Grandad’s favourite tie with fishing tackle pattern, circa 1950s, this was one of the ties he sold in the shop. A receipt from the store ‘Mitchells of Exchequer Street’ with my Grandad’s tie knotted in a half Winsor style laid over it. A complementary calendar for customers in 1972 outlining the menswear on offer. A box of  Van Heusen detachable collars selling for 5/6 in the shop.

Dickie studded bow tie circa 1950s which my Grandad sold in his shop Number 14 Exchequer Street.