Couple forced to close fruit shop after landlord dispute

A young Brisbane family claim they have been left almost $20,000 out of pocket after a dispute with their landlord resulted in the closing of their fruit shop – a business that has been operating at the site for close to 70 years.

Charnelle Wilson and Tony Penglase are co owners of Wynnum Central Fresh Fruit Barn and are closing their Edith Street business. Picture: AAP/Renae Droop

A YOUNG family claim they have been forced to abandon plans to move to Brisbane’s bayside and have been left almost $20,000 out of pocket after a dispute with their landlord resulted in the closing of their Wynnum fruit shop.

Tony Penglase and Charnelle Wilson took over the Wynnum Central Fresh Fruit Barn in October last year but closed the shop last Friday because of the unsafe conditions in the shop on Edith St.

The closure also brings an end to the business, which is believed to have been operating for almost 70 years.

$1 for 28 days: Full digital subscription

“One night late last year, we had a big downpour and that next day we came in and water was leaking through the lights and the roof,” Mr Penglase said.

“There’s big damage to the roof and other parts of the shop and it’s just not safe to conduct a business and for a fruit shop to be in. “So we contacted the landlord and they refused to fix the damage and at one stage said we don’t pay them enough rent to fix the place. So we were left with no option.”

An exposed wire has dropped from the ceiling at the Wynnum central Fresh Fruit Barn.

With three young children, one who just started prep at Manly West State School, Mr Penglase said the issue has had a huge impact on their family.

“Our young one just started prep and we’ve had to take him out and change him back to a place where we live at Browns Plains,” he said.

Inside the Wynnum Central Fresh Barn.

Wynnum Central Fresh Barn to close. The ceiling is peeling in numerous places. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

“It’s extremely disappointing, we loved our little business and the customers we had and we wanted to try and continue to build it but now this has happened.

“It’s taken a huge toll on us emotionally and also with money, we’re probably $20,000 out-of-pocket.”

Mr Penglase also said health inspectors were coming in to look at the shop in 10-14 days. The closure leaves Perry’s Fresh Fruit Market as the only independent fruit shop in the Wynnum CBD.

The Wynnum Herald contacted the landlord who refused to comment on the story.