PICTURES: Historic former home of beloved Laois café in Portlaoise hits the market

A landmark Laois property steeped in local history and once home to one of Portlaoise's most popular cafés has hit the market with an asking price of €500,000.

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Gray's Restaurant, Main Street, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, R32N5N0

Gray's Restaurant on Main Street, which most recently traded as The Pantry, is being described by agents as "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to acquire one of Portlaoise's most iconic commercial premises.

The building has been in the same family for over a century and was originally established as Gray's Restaurant by local businesswoman Margaret Gray in 1932. Over the decades, it became one of the best-known hospitality addresses in Laois, welcoming generations of locals and visitors alike.

READ MORE | Business and health changes force closure of much-loved Laois café in Portlaoise

In more recent years, the property became home to The Pantry Café and Walled Garden, which closed earlier this year after almost 12 years in business. The café's closure prompted an outpouring of goodwill from loyal customers, many of whom praised owners Mark Healy and Ladonna McCartan for their dedication and community spirit.

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Spanning over 2,000 square feet on the ground floor, the premises includes multiple dining rooms, a fully equipped kitchen, stores, and customer and staff facilities. Upstairs, a stunning three-bedroom townhouse features a barrel-roofed kitchen-living space, a roof garden, and a large drawing room overlooking Main Street.

The site also includes a spacious garden area and two substantial Victorian coachhouses that previously served as The Pantry's much-loved Walled Garden outdoor dining space.

Agents say the property lends itself to a wide range of uses, from hospitality or retail to professional offices, with potential for further development on the adjoining site to the east.