Patrick Street is the main shopping thoroughfare, and many stores are scattered throughout the city on side streets and in lanes. In general, shops are open Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 6pm, unless indicated otherwise. In the summer many shops remain open until 9:30pm on Thursday and Friday, and some are open on Sunday.
Until recently, Cork had a lovely antiques quarter on Paul's Lane, but virtually all the shops that made the street unique have closed now, pushed out by higher rents and lack of local interest in anything old. It's all about the new now.
The main mall is Merchant's Quay Shopping Centre, Merchant's Quay and Patrick Street. This enclosed complex houses large department stores, such as Marks and Spencer (tel. 021/427-5555), as well as small specialty shops, such as Laura Ashley (tel. 021/427-4070).
Cork's best department store is Brown Thomas, 18 St. Patrick St. (tel. 021/480-5555). It has three floors of the upscale items found in its sister shop in Dublin.
