Austins of Derry
Encyclopedia
Department store
A department store is a retail establishment which satisfies a wide range of the consumer's personal and residential durable goods product needs; and at the same time offering the consumer a choice of multiple merchandise lines, at variable price points, in all product categories...
located in the Diamond of Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. The store was established in 1830 and remains standing as Ireland's oldest. It is the world's oldest independent department store. The domineering building measures 25000 square feet (2,322.6 m²) and is five stories high with an Edwardian-style exterior.
Layout
The ground floor of the store houses a mixture of cosmetics, fashion and accessories, with a new Hugo BossHugo Boss
Hugo Ferdinand Boss was the founder of clothing company Hugo Boss.-Early life:Boss was born in Metzingen, Germany. After completing his apprenticeship and one year of employment, he founded his own company in Metzingen in 1923.-Support of Nazism:Boss joined the Nazi Party in 1931, two years before...
man shop to the rear part of the floor. Overhanging the ground floor is a new fully licensed eatery - Café Mezzo. Occupying a mezzanine location, Café Mezzo specialises in contemporary eating in a table service setting.
The first floor, serviced as all floors by a lift and escalator, is the main fashion floor for ladies. On this floor there is also a spacious bridal suite containing two large and completely private dressing rooms.
The second floor of Austins sells crystal and homewares, gifts and bedding floor. Austin's specialises in wedding gift services and has an on-line ordering service and ordering point for the convenience of customers both in store and overseas. The second floor also houses the biggest Waterford Crystal
Waterford Crystal
Waterford Crystal is a trademark brand of crystal glassware, previously produced in Waterford, Ireland, though the factory there was shut down after the receivership of Waterford Wedgwood plc in early 2009...
department in Northern Ireland.
The third floor is home to the Roof Top restaurant – a 150 seater self service restaurant. The restaurant provides a stunning view overlooking the city’s Diamond and beyond.