Grantville supermarket has gone up for sale … before even opening

The Grantville supermarket, owned by Foodworks and due to open in 2021, is facing further delays. Find out what’s happened now.

Grantville needs a supermarket sign

There has been another road bump in the journey to Grantville getting a supermarket.

The supermarket has now been put up for sale before even opening its doors.

Listed on Real Commercial, the business is described as a “supermarket and separate bottle shop with drive through”.

It is currently under construction and “due for completion in March 2023”.

The complex is just off the highway with “great signage and designated parking for over 40 vehicles”.

The community of Grantville has been fighting for a supermarket for years.

In December 2020, developer Chris Sime promised to bring a supermarket to the town before council rejected his plans.

The development then morphed into more of a retail precinct before Mr Sime pulled the pin entirely, citing ‘lengthy delays’ with council and an “ungrateful” community.

In February 2021 James McConvill had plans to open ‘The Grantville Grocer’ in the old Mitre 10 building.

James McConvill outside the site for the supermarket.

It was going to sell local produce and include a cafe and beer garden.

These plans were again changed when Mr McConvill teamed up with Foodworks in July 2021.

He told the Herald Sun at the time a Foodworks would better serve the community.

Mr McConvill said he had put a lot of time and effort into The Grantville Grocer brand including $50,000 in marketing.

“But after weighing it up, this is better long-term,” he said.

“It would have been better not to spend that amount of money but I think it was necessary to get to this stage.”

Mr McConvill said he was pleased Foodworks saw potential in the idea after he approached the supermarket giant in May 2021.

But after months of silence the supermarket has now appeared for sale.

With an advertised turnover of around $150,000 per week, locals are hoping it is snapped up by someone interested in keeping it a supermarket.

Marian Anderson is part of the ‘Grantville Needs a Supermarket’ group on Facebook.

“We can only hope a supermarket investor buys it,” she said.

The 800 locals who call Grantville home have to travel for groceries to San Remo, Wonthaggi or Koo Wee Rup — a minimum of a 30 minute drive one way.