4 homes with shopfronts for under €150,000 to jumpstart that business idea

Make that bakery or jewellery shop a reality with these Irish homes with shopfronts for less than €150,000 in Mayo, Cork, Tipperary and Waterford.

Been dreaming about starting up your own shop? Lockdown has thrown everyone’s work-life balance on its head and it gave it all a bit of time to think – maybe an office job just isn’t for you, or maybe you’ve had a brainwave.

But starting a business takes an injection of cash and more time and energy than most people have. From laying the groundwork to opening your doors, you will eat, sleep and breathe your business for the first few years.

So if you’re going to commit to all that, why not do it all in the one place? There are a few homes with shopfronts going for less than €150,000, some recently vacated, some in need of a bit of TLC. So you can build your business for the ground up or move straight in and start ironing out the kinks. Some even have studios attached too.

If the thought of this is getting your heart rate pumping, well then maybe you are ready for your big retail adventure. Here are four homes with shopfronts in Skibbereen, Ballina, Nenagh and Cappoquin to really test your nerve…

24 North Street, Skibbereen, Co Cork
€140,000

Located in the colourful West Cork town of Skibbereen, this three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse is ready and waiting for its next entrepreneur. The shop space downstairs has recently been renovated, with a large bay window pouring light into the space. A double French door on one side grants access to the shop while on the other side of the window, another door offers a separate entrance to the house upstairs.

The two residential floors above are in need of a little more prep work to make it livable but high ceilings, original timber floors and lots of lights make it a dream black canvas for a home. Out the back, there’s a small yard and a studio space too.

The Square, Cappoquin, Waterford
€110,500

Formerly a popular pub that shut in the mid-1990s, the pub and the adjacent cottage are on the market for €110,500. The lounge area still has a number of its original features including timber work and shelving. Just off it int he cottage portion is a small living room and kitchen.

Upstairs, is another family living room, three bedrooms and a showroom. There’s also parking to the rear and a small private yard with a number of offices.

The Bond Store, Ballina, Co Mayo
€139,000

Sitting in a quiet cobbled courtyard in the middle of Ballina town, is this quaint terrace house. Most of the homes in the square also have a commercial element and the entire property is finished to a very high spec in a way that honours the heritage of the building.

On the ground floor, arched, Georgian-style windows offer a peek into the shopfront, ideal for an artist or craftsperson. To the rear are an office and prep space. The middle floor consists of a large open-plan kitchen, living and dining area area, with a dual aspect, as well as a bathroom. On the top floor are two bedrooms, one with an ensuite.

11 Mitchel Street, Nenagh, Co Tipperary
€100,000

This one takes a bit of imagination but this skinny little townhouse in Nenagh has oodles of potential. Narrow but quite deep, the shop on the ground floor has exposed brick walls and a slate floor, while the living area consists of a kitchen, sitting area, two bedrooms and a bathroom.

Feature image: 24 North Street

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