Hasan sad to say goodbye to Boker
OWNER of The Boker newsagent Hasan Sunguroglu has sold one of the town’s last remaining corner shops after two decades in business.
Based on the junction of Thomas St and Bride St, The Boker has been owned by the Clonard resident and his wife Marie for the last 20 years. It has long been a popular haunt for many CBS students, who are known to frequent the shop during lunch breaks and after school.
Reflecting on his time in business, Hasan said that he will be ‘sad’ to move on.
‘I have graduated so many kids from here. I know all of the boys in CBS, as does my wife,’ he said. ‘I’m sad to go and I will definitely miss it a lot.’
‘My time here has been very good really. What else can I say?’
The shop will be taken over by local lady Carmel Nolan. However, although he is moving on, Hasan has been assured that the name ‘ The Boker’ will remain long after he leaves.
‘ The new owner has promised to keep the name The Boker,’ he said.
‘ That is the best part. It is history. It comes from the Irish word ‘ bóthar’ when people used to say “I’m going up the bothar”, in other words “I’m going up the road”. It somehow got changed into an English word ‘ boker’ and that is what the shop is named after.’
Though he unsure what he plans to do next, Hasan said he might go into the catering business in the future, or perhaps even dabble in politics.
Commenting on the change of hands, CBS teacher Joe Ryan said that Hasan has been ‘an institution’ for CBS pupils for many years.
‘I wish him well into the future. Down through the years he’s been an ever present in the area and has a loyal custom and trade, especially among the schools pupils!’ he added.