With its floor to roof, colourful psychedelic mural, Even Stevens said 'THE '60S' in a way that was unmatched by any other store in Dublin. As a result, it was a mecca for Ireland's youth, seeking hipsters, kipper ties, velvet jackets and loud, paisley shirts. Walking through the doors of Even Stevens for the first time, was like walking into Aladdin's Cave. London had its Biba; we had Even Stevens.
Every place has its time and Even Stevens closed. There's a shop like Even Stevens in everyone's life. But that doesn't guarantee them longevity. Many of the shops of my youth have disappeared. Few people can remember there was not just one, but three department stores on Sth Gt George's St alone. There was another on the Quays. They were so monolithic, they looked like they'd never go away.
Peats was one of those shops that was always there. In this case, Peats was the place to go if you had a problem with your stereo or your radio or you wanted to upgrade to sound surround, a smart tv and whatever else the growing world of telecommunications could offer you, in a commercial package, for, of course, the domestic market. Now it's closed. Few people registered its departure; just a simple notice posted in the window of the three generation, family firm's Parnell and Dame St shops. Fifty years of being part of the city scape and psyche, gone in a trice and, no doubt, a shed full of debt. So it goes.
A friend of mine was shocked when I told him. He'd just shelled out €2,500 for a state of the art smart tv. He wasn't happy with it. Now he's stuck with it.
I had never heard of Even Steven's (only Shakin' Stevens - God was he crap) as in the sixties/early seventies I would have been looking for tat in Hector Grays.
ReplyDeleteAn iconic shop in the north during my youth was Fresh Garbage in Belfast. We used to save up all our tips from waitressing in the Half Door Restaurant, Warrenpoint (also an institution, but sadly long gone) and take the Ulsterbus up to the big smoke. There we'd buy lace fingerless gloves (à la Chrissie Hynde on the Pretenders album cover) liberation scarves and Patchouli oil. I was amazed to discover when I returned to Ireland after nearly 15 years that the shop is still there but, strangely enough, it doesn't have the same appeal as it did when I was in my teens...
Oh, I meant to say good luck with the anthology! :)
ReplyDeleteMy dad worked there in the 70's. Used to bring home Even Steven tee shirts to us for our summer holidays😂
ReplyDeleteLoved Even Stevens, have vivid memories of the mural and the outrageous fashion. It was a mecca for the hip and trendy kid's. Bought my 1st pair of platforms here with insane red leather and massive black platform. My mother said they were like orthopedic shoes she was horrified. Wish that shop was still there, it was fantastic 👌
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