A beloved fresh produce store in Willetton will be gone by July after its lease was not renewed as locals cry out over the loss.
Gilbert’s Fresh Market announced its closure in Southlands Boulevarde last week after more than 16 years there.
The family owned chain took to social media, where they said leasing agents had not progressed with a renewal after a period of “very little communication”.
The announcement prompted an outpouring of support from locals, some of whom left comments which said they were “gutted” after the news.
Owner Charlie Opferkuch, who runs the family store along with others in Hilton and Midland, told PerthNow there was a “lot of disappointment” at the decision.
“We really didn’t want to leave,” he said.
“But it’s out of our hands at this stage.”
Mr Opferkuch said the Gilbert’s lease was due to end at the beginning of August. Lease negotiations to extend had started earlier in the year with management HomeCo. Daily Needs, which run the Southlands Boulevarde centre.
“They basically said to us, we can stay where we are but we need to take over The Reject Shop (space) as well,” he said.
“(To) which we said, we’re not interested in doing that, we do fresh food and we can’t take on more space.”
The store owner said Gilbert’s Fresh later provided centre management with a proposal for the surrounding space but ultimately decided the Boulevarde wanted a different type of retailer.
Multinational group HomeCo. Daily Needs purchased the Willetton shopping centre in December last year for $92.5 million and undertook settlement in February this year, according to ASX records.
The centre was described as “highly productive” and HomeCo Daily Needs chief executive Sid Sharma said the company was “delighted” to have secured the asset at the time.
A HomeCo spokesperson told PerthNow it was “always their preference” to provide existing local retailers with opportunities to remain trading.
“Our local team engaged directly with Gilbert’s on numerous occasions regarding a renewal and expansion of their tenancy to meet the evolving needs of the local community,” they said.
The spokesperson said they afforded Gilbert’s “every opportunity that was reasonable” to remain within the centre.
Southlands Boulevarde announced last week via social media that Asian grocer Joy Mall would be relocating within the shopping centre.
“Joy Mall will be undertaking an expanded Asian supermarket offer along with fresh fruit and vegetables,” A HomeCo spokesperson said.
Mr Opferkuch said regular shoppers had reached out with support since the announcement and the idea of opening another store was on the cards for the team.
“I grew up in Willetton, as soon as dad started the shop I’ve been working in there,” he said.
“So I know a lot of the customers by name, a lot of them have been coming since we opened.
“A lot of disappointment would be the general consensus.”