For the past 38 years, Saville Menswear on Oliver Plunkett Street has suited and booted the men of Cork. Recently, owners Jim and Pam O’Regan noticed a gap in the market for the younger, urban man, and created something new – #45. Pam talks to us about Cork’s newest menswear store.
Darren Stanton, Mark Kelleher and Stephen Delaney at #45 Cork, Oliver Plunkett Street. Pictures: Denis Scannell
How did the business start?
The shop originally opened as a Tommy Hilfiger store many years ago but has now evolved into a unique, multi-brand store known as #45.
Why did you decide to expand into this area of clothing?
We decided to expand into this area as we noticed a demand for an urban multi-brand store catering for the younger, on-trend guy.
What challenges have you faced?
Trading through the recession and keeping prices keen while keeping the stock sharp and on-trend.
Tell us about the customers?
Our customers are young, fashion-savvy individuals who are very much into their music and go clubbing at the weekends. The Tommy Bowe brand draws a lot of keen Rugby followers, too. Overall there is a great mix of both city and rural shoppers.
Tell us about the staff?
The staff are mainly young, enthusiastic trend-setters themselves – we have a lot of students working part-time at weekends etc. while studying in college.
How has business been so far & what is business like in the city centre at the moment?
City centre business has bounced back, especially at weekends, during festival season and during holiday periods. There has also been a huge tourism boom in recent times which has brought lots of new visitors to the city centre. A lot of our brands are international and are recognised by all nationalities.
Do you get a lot of crossover with customers from Saville Menswear?
Yes, our customers do tend to visit both shops as they can pick up the younger and more casual clothes at #45.
What are the differences between the clothing here and in Saville Menswear?
The main difference is that #45 stocks all casual brands catering for the younger guy, while Saville Menswear, being a much larger store, stocks a mix of casual, smart-casual and formal/occasion wear.
Is it hard to compete with the big clothing chains?
Competing with big clothing chains is not an issue as we house a variety of different brands under one roof, i.e. Superdry, Selected, New Balance, Tommy Bow, Original Penguin, Farah, G-Star & Hilfiger Denim, giving multiple choice to the customer in a vibrant and friendly environment. New stock arrives in every week which keeps us busy merchandising and keeps our online and social media presence active and exciting.
What sets you apart from other clothing chains?
What sets us apart is that everyone working in the store has a passion for their job and enjoys interaction with the customer, offering a relaxed and personal service.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
My favourite part of the job is seeing new merchandise delivered to the store and getting positive customer feedback.
What’s your least favourite part of the job?
My least favourite part of the job is when it’s my day off or I’m away on holidays and miss a visit from well-known sports stars or musicians, who tend to pop in regularly!
What does the future look like for the job?
The future is bright and exciting as Cork develops and #45 looks forward to being a top trend-setting store in the heart of our new and vibrant city. Follow our story on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @45Cork and visit our new website, 45Cork.com.