- Culture
- 22 May 21
In a new series, Hot Press is looking at some of the country's favourite music shops – whether that be records, instruments or gear – and how they're coping reopening to their customers.
Golden Discs is one of the largest music retailers in Ireland, which started in 1962 in Dublin. Since then, they've continued to expand, with branches all over the country.
We previously spoke to Eoife Clarke from their Drogheda branch to see how their reopening was going this week.
Golden Discs' branch in Dundrum Town Centre, which is their largest flagship shop , also greeted their customers back in person this week. Brendan McDermott, the manager of the Dundrum branch, says that staff and customers are delighted to be seeing each other again.
"We were all looking forward to welcoming them back," he says. "But the amazing thing is, they're welcoming us back too! People are just glad to be back out shopping - just doing something normal again."
Like many other shops, Brendan insists that helping customers feel safe while browsing is their priority when reopening.
"We were maybe a little bit nervous that people would be scared to come back into a retail environment, but it doesn't seem like that," he tells us. "The main thing is that people feel comfortable.
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"We might gently approach the odd person if we see them looking a little bit nervous coming towards the counter, and ask if they need any help. It's worked out really well. They really appreciate it."
Anticipating this week, Brendan says that he and the other staff have worked tirelessly to update the premises with better stock than before.
"Our selection is bigger and better than ever," he reveals. "We've taken advantage of the time closed to make changes that otherwise would have taken a long time. We have hugely expanded our vinyl range."
You can visit Golden Discs Dundrum at the Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin or by also visiting goldendiscs.ie where you can order online or find the locations for their other branches.