Boost Juice abandons Market Square Shopping Centre
Another long-term tenant has abandoned a central Geelong shopping plaza as the retail exodus mounts.
Geelong
Don't miss out on the headlines from Geelong. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Another long term tenant has fled an embattled Geelong shopping mall, telling customers their operation was “no longer viable”.
Boost Juice Market Square announced its closure after 16 years in the central retail precinct late last month.
A note taped to the now-empty storefront thanked customers for their ongoing support and redirected them to other locations in Westfield and Waurn Ponds.
“It is with heavy hearts that we inform you Boost Market Square will be closing down,” the note read.
“Unfortunately, this store is no longer viable to operate, leaving us with no choice but to close it.”
The smoothie brand is the latest big name to join the exodus of stores to leave the ailing shopping centre.
Australia Post, Cotton On, Dymocks, Mimco, EB Games, Panache Cafe, Factorie and Hello World Travel have all closed down or relocated in recent years, with many of the storefronts still vacant.
Customers have recently been told longtime tenant Lincraft, which occupies a large space near the upstairs food court, will relocate in coming months.
It’s understood the store’s management are in negotiaton with centre management over the lease and the potential to relocate elsewhere within the plaza.
In June, anonymous traders told the Geelong Advertiser they felt frustrated and “stonewalled” by centre management.
“You’re just not getting any foot traffic you expect in the Geelong CBD, in a shopping centre in a prime location,” they said at the time.
“That’s why we pay the prime rent.”
It comes amid rumours the central plaza is being primed for redevelopment.
A council report released earlier this year revealed mixed residential and commercial development in the area had the opportunity to bring the busy city block around the shopping centre back to life.
“Key anchor tenants are lacking within Market Square and some have moved across Malop Street to Westfield Shopping centre,” the report acknowledged.
“A number of work and services businesses exist in the quarter but suffer from the dilapidated character with other areas of Central Geelong seen as more attractive and safer.”
Market Square management did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.
Originally published as Boost Juice abandons Market Square Shopping Centre
‘Hugely disappointing’: Ratepayers take hit in alleged G21 fraud
Police have secretly been investigating the alleged theft of a six-figure sum from a high-profile Geelong organisation for more than two years.
Outraged parents pull kids from steiner school over gender talks
Kids are being pulled from an alternative Surf Coast primary school, with parents claiming they are being “muzzled” after kids as young as five were taught about gender transitions.