This news broke in January 2024.
Established Portlaoise business Gerry Browne Jewellers has been put up for sale.
The highly-regarded jewellers, which has a selection of leading brands across jewellery, watches and gifts and has premises on Main Street and on Coliseum Lane in Portlaoise, was advertised for sale in the Sunday Business Post this weekend.
“Substantial business opportunity for sale,” read the ad.
“One of Ireland’s leading jewellery businesses, Gerry Browne Jewellers, is a thriving and highly profitable jewellery business based in Portlaoise, one of Ireland’s busiest towns.
“The premises enjoys a high profile Main Street setting and benefits from a state of the art fitout, display and computerised system and is available to rent to the successful purchaser,” it added.
“Multi-faceted business with leading brands, fully-equipped workshop and online store.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to acquire a highly-profitable business, turnkey and ready to go.”
All enquiries are being handled by John Dunne of Hume Auctioneers.
Trading for just over 60 years, the business was set up by Gerry’s father Des Browne in 1963.
Des had worked in West’s Jewellers on Grafton Street in Dublin and in O’Connor’s at Harold’s Cross prior to opening his own business in Portlaoise in the early 1960s.
The business was then bought by Des’s son Gerry and his wife Alison in 1986.
“They then developed it from county jeweller to national brand, with a unique commitment to quality and craftsmanship,” says their website.
In 2020 the business was awarded the prestigious title of National Jewellery store of the year at the Retail Excellence awards.
Gerry and Alison are both hugely respected and involved in the Laois business community, both in the Downtown Portlaoise group and the Laois Chamber, where Alison recently served as president.
They are also very actively involved in Portlaoise Tidy Towns and in many events in Portlaoise like Christmas Markets and St Patrick’s Day festivals.
SEE ALSO – Check out all our top stories from our 2024 Remembered series here
