The tiny kiosk has been trading for decades, and has now been bought by the owners of the Starbucks franchise in Ireland.
Colum and Ciarán Butler are the brothers who run the Starbucks operation in Ireland, and they’ve just paid a mammoth €330,000 for a hexagonal kiosk in one of Dublin’s most exclusive areas.
The kiosk in Ballsbridge, where Lansdowne, Pembroke and Northumberland roads all intersect, is one of the most iconic spots in Dublin 4 and at just 37 sq ft of floorspace it is also one of the most expensive.
The Butler brothers, according to The Irish Times, outbid several other investors for the commercial property.
They see the kiosk as a key location in spreading awareness of the Starbucks brand in Dublin; there are currently reported to be more than 60 Starbucks outlets in the greater Dublin area.
Originally used to store equipment by Pembroke Fire Station from 1920 onwards, the kiosk was most recently run by businessman Brian Kenny.
Back in April, he spoke of his disappointment when he found out the property – which he was leasing at approximately €15,000-a-year – was being sold.
“It is sad,” he told RTÉ’s Liveline.
“I don’t know if an independent coffee shop will open in the area again because they’ll probably need a concession store. It was a unique time and a unique business.”
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