Brandon Park Shopping Centre: Degani cafe closes after Kmart’s departure

Foot traffic has dropped dramatically at a Wheelers Hill centre following Kmart’s departure after 38 years, with surviving traders pleading with customers to stick with them.

Another business has closed at Brandon Park Shopping Centre, with Degani cafe the latest to shut its doors.

It follows Kmart’s closure at the Wheelers Hill centre last month after 38 years, with the store now offering click-and-collect only.

Surviving traders are now pleading with customers to stick with them, with foot traffic dropping off dramatically following Kmart’s closure.

Wayne Browne runs Rhubarb Cafe with his partner Tess, with their business directly opposite Kmart.

Mr Browne said the store’s closure, together with customers staying away due to Covid fears, meant his sales had dropped dramatically.

He said customer numbers were at a similar level to when the state was in lockdown, and it was only thanks to loyal customers that the business was able to keep going.

“Thank god they are there for us – so many faces we serve we recognise,” Mr Browne said.

Wayne Browne and partner Tess from Rhubarb Cafe Brandon Park have noticed a drop off in customers after Kmart’s closure.

The cafe’s customers Jan and Carmel Seracino said the centre had become very rundown, and said they would like to see another big name, such as Big W, replace Kmart.

Ms Seracino said the food court area of the centre had become “depressing” and she felt sorry for surrounding businesses.

The former Muffin Break store also remains empty in the food court.

But Quadro Hair Team owner Dominic Chiaravalle said he felt positive about the future of the centre, and said he had plans to renovate his salon, which has been based at the complex for 34 years.

“We’re very grateful to all the customers who have been supporting us through the Covid period and this period, and I’ve got the best team of staff anybody could wish for,” he said.

He said Aldi had also recently spent a lot of money upgrading its store, and Coles was planning to do the same, with both major retailers signing long-term leases to stay at the centre.

Mr Chiaravalle said the planned redevelopment of the centre would be a positive, bringing more people to the area.

Two planning applications for the shopping centre site have been lodged with Monash Council, including a seven-storey mixed-use building featuring apartments and a residential hotel, medical centre and offices on Brandon Park Drive.

Mr Chiaravalle asked centre management to consider offering compensation for businesses during the proposed upgrade works, with disruptions expected.