New ‘candy store’ is selling vapes next door to a Geelong high school
It’s a familar sight across our region. A ‘convenience’ or ‘candy’ store where tobacco products, sometimes illegal, are the central trade. One new business near a Geelong school has sparked major community concerns, but the owner says it’s not his “first rodeo”.The Addy took a closer look.
A new vape shop across the road from a Geelong high school has sparked fears over health and safety, the risk of being caught up in the tobacco wars and the impact on a tight-knit community.
Hamlyn Mini Mart opened in July on the corner of Vines Rd, across the road from Western Heights College and the Vines Road Community Centre.
The convenience store stocks products from Turkey, Lebanon and India and also sells tobacco, vapes and related products.
As of July 1, 2024 it has been illegal for retailers such as tobacconists and convenience stores to sell vaping products.
The Geelong Advertiser visited Hamlyn Mini Mart on August 11 and purchased a vape.
Shoppers are offered a broad array of brightly coloured vapes with fruity flavours like strawberry watermelon, priced between $31 and $45, and nicotine pouches obscured in the black cupboards behind the counter.
Among the chips and lollies on display, there were also two shelves selling rolling papers and tobacco grinders and a glass counter at the front of the store selling water pipes, lighters and digital scales.
The Geelong Advertiser witnessed a number of students entering and leaving the store.
The store has multiple CCTV cameras and blacked-out windows on both sides of the building.
A local resident said she was concerned for the community and worried about the store’s proximity to the high school.
“In our little suburb, there’s a lot of goodwill … the business owners along the whole strip get the community feel and everyone looks after each other … This shop isn’t sitting well”, a local resident said.
“There were plenty of Western Heights College students in the store and other kids walking past when I went in on its opening day, who knows if they’re being sold vape products.”
Vallis IGA spokesperson Frank Valenti said it was disappointing the selling of vapes had been allowed to grow into a billion-dollar empire and was still allowed to keep growing.
“They shouldn’t be able to trade for a day, if they know what they’re doing”, Mr Valenti said.
“The worst bit is that it has opened up next to a high school.”
Mr Valenti also said the Hamlyn Mini Mart’s name, signage colours and store branding were very similar to his pop-up IGA Mini Mart, which he opened and operated for five years while the IGA was rebuilt following an arson fire in 2019.
“We have no association with [the vape store] even though they’re using the mini mart title, which we traded under for years,” Mr Valenti said.
“We’ve had to post on Facebook saying we are not connected.”
The owner of Hamlyn Mini Mart who did not wish to be named, said he was aware of the community backlash and wanted to reiterate that his store had nothing to do with the IGA.
“People are just putting their nose in it,” he said.
“We didn’t even think about the IGA, our signage guy just made them … there’s only so many colours.
“It’s not our first rodeo, I’ve done my research.
“If you have a problem, just knock on the door,” he added.
Convenience stores like Hamlyn Mini Mart have started popping up across Geelong, with two new shops on Pakington St and Shannon Ave.
“I’ve heard there’s a tobacco place on Shannon Ave … it’s supposedly a gift shop, but there’s not many gifts”, a local resident said.
“My son said to me ‘Mum, that’s where you go to buy vapes’.”
The owner of Goodall’s Quality Meats on Vines Rd, Manny Singh said the butchers had been around for 30 years and was actively involved in the local community.
“I know most of the people on the strip … it’s a community”, Mr Singh said.
“Right next to the school and they’re selling vapes? That’s concerning.”
The Geelong Advertiser understands there is also community concern for the shopping strip following a string of tobacco store firebombings across Geelong.
Hamlyn Heights ward councillor Eddy Kontelj said he would be inquiring immediately, having been unaware of the shop’s opening.
“If this store or any other store in Geelong or Victoria is selling vapes, I expect they’ll get a visit from the law at some stage,” Mr Kontelj said.
A Victorian government spokesperson said: “The health and safety of Victorian students is our highest priority, which is why smoking and vaping are banned in all educational facilities, including schools, and within four metres of any school entrance.”
On August 11, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), assisted by Victoria Police, seized illicit vapes worth approximately $40,000 from a ‘candy’ shop in Melbourne’s CBD.
According to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, since January 2024, the TGA and Australian Border Force have seized more than 10.7 million illegal vapes, worth $535m.
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Originally published as New ‘candy store’ is selling vapes next door to a Geelong high school
