 |
Pat
and Mary Brennan |
Setting
up a business these days takes dedication, enthusiasm and a strong
marriage! All three credentials appear to apply to Pat and Mary Brennan,
who are the brains behind Kings Heath's Brennan’s Irish shop.
For those who've not yet had the chance to visit these quaint premises,
it's located in a prime spot at No 8, York Road, and is surrounded
by an array of other stores from flower and balloon shops to barbers,
curry houses, a chipper and a secluded coffee shop - all, a stone's
throw from the Hare and Hounds pub.
The shop itself boasts a simple layout and would fit in amongst any
Irish village or town due to its traditional and neat formation. I'm
sure we all have fond memories of the local Irish shop visited when
returning to Ireland. Some, more often than not, combine as post offices,
bars and even funeral directors. In the case of Brennan's, however,
it concentrates on food, beverages and Irish memorabilia, leaving the
rest of the professions to go about their business undisturbed.
Orders for popular food and drinks are placed on a weekly basis by
the duo from all over the map of Ireland. Pat ensures every endeavour
is made when a request for an item is instigated by customers. However,
with such high demand by other sources from England, he can't guarantee
that every customer will return home happy with the goods but he tells
me he's just a telephone call or a visit away for any existing or new
customers who may want to put him to the test.
I ask Pat of any regrets in setting up shop or if he's found it difficult
keeping on top of things with high street supermarkets competing for
trade just around the corner.
He says: "Of course, all new businesses struggle initially. For
instance, getting the balance right of what goods are popular and what
doesn't tend to sell, is all part of the learning curve. The past eighteen
months has had its ups and downs but now it's settling down and I reckon
we're beginning to make our mark in Kings Heath. I don't really concern
myself with the high street supermarkets as they're not a threat, bearing
in mind we specialise in items such as, traditional home-made soda
breads, Erin soups, Taytos, red lemonade and sacks of Irish spuds,
to name but a few."
It's obvious, when speaking with Pat, he has no regrets about taking
the plunge and setting up this little shop of Irish goodies. In fact,
he tells me, the only regret he has is not winning the Lotto before,
during or after setting up shop! Happen if Pat was fortunate enough
to win the Lotto he'd still opt to retain the charm and relaxed atmosphere
which oozes out of this small bit of heaven for Pat and Mary.
I feel reassured, satisfied and content when observing one of Pat's
customers - an old Irish fella choosing something decent for his dinner.
The old fella browses in a relaxed manner with no antagonistic feelings
caused by the hustle and bustle of crowds seen in supermarkets. It's
rewarding to witness the old fashioned scenario of customer and shopkeeper
passing the time of day with one another and making the daily chore
of shopping a more pleasant and socially rewarding exercise. It was
almost as if I'd been transported to Ireland and was observing the
traditional and correct way of shopping for such necessities.
So what of this man Pat, who appears to be bringing happiness to the
likes of the old fella (and myself as I like nothing more than dipping
that sweet tasting soda bread into Erin soup, followed by a few spuds
and red lemonade!)
He tells me he left his Kilkenny home back in 1964, headed for Birmingham
and began working as a clipper on the buses. No doubt he was a hit
with passengers and drivers alike as he's one of those people who immediately
puts you at ease and leaves you thinking you've known him for an age.
When the buses no longer kept him enthralled, he decided to turn his
hand to the taxi business, the pub trade and finally settled in the
construction industry, only for the recession to encourage him to up
sticks and head to the States to join sister, Margaret, and brother
Jim, and what proved to be the next window of opportunity for Pat.
It appears the States agreed with Pat socially in that he appreciated
and enjoyed the social life not only in New York but attempted to visit
all the American states, apart from Alaska and Hawaii in the time he
spent there. Additionally, Pat, like many thousands of ex-pats, volunteered
to work behind the scenes and establish the New York St Patrick's Day
Parade which has become one of the major events of the calendar year.
Professionally, he set up his own building company, which ran successfully
for a number of years and allowed Pat to continue to enjoy the American
dream.
It appears Pat has no regrets whatsoever experiencing the American
way of life. He says: "Making the decision to travel to the States
was one of the best ideas I had. It allowed me to spend quality time
with the family, especially Margaret, as she past away a year ago,
so making the effort and being part of her life is something that I'm
glad I did."
It would appear Pat's family are a precious part of his life. In fact,
he left the States to return to England to help nurse another sister
who died of cancer. He tells me that he decided to stay on after her
death and was rewarded by meeting his future wife, Mary, who, he says,
was foolish enough to ask him out to a dance. It followed from here
that the duo returned to live in Ireland, soon became a trio with the
birth of Mary Ellen, and settled there for six years. The rest, they
say, is history.
The pair decided to return to England, namely, Kings Heath to be closer
to Mary's family and set up this ever-increasing popular Irish shop.
Its rise in popularity is down to the fact that they've gone back to
basics. The customer is placed firmly on the top of their agenda and
that's why loyalty prevails amongst its customers.
So, next time you take a ponder down Kings Heath High Street, take
a left by the Hare and Hounds and enjoy a pleasant reminisce as you
step back in time at Brennan’s Irish Shop.
|
