Wallies Lollies Box Hill South facing eviction from landlord
For 30 years, this Whitehorse lollyshop has been a much-loved institution in the candy business. But the owners could be forced to wrap things up after a dispute with the Hong Kong-based landlord.
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The owners of a Box Hill South business facing eviction are pleading with their Hong Kong-based landlords to “have a heart” and allow them to take a shorter term lease.
Wallies Lollies, owned by Michelle Stapelfeldt and her husband Peter, has been based in Whitehorse for the past 30 years.
The business moved to its base in Middleborough Rd, Box Hill South more than six years ago, after previously being based in Box Hill North.
But Mrs Stapelfeldt said the business may be forced to move after their landlords, based in Hong Kong, allegedly refused to agree to extending their lease for one year, insisting the couple commit to three years.
Mrs Stapelfeldt said the landlords were threatening to evict them by December 29 unless they committed to the three-year term.
“We have been negotiating with them throughout the pandemic as we knew our lease was coming up for renewal in October,” Mrs Stapelfeldt said.
“We have offered to take up a one-year lease or even month by month but they refuse to budge unless we commit to three years.”
She said the couple also offered to take a three-year lease with 50 per cent discount on full rent, which was refused.
Mrs Stapelfeldt said they were not comfortable taking on another three years lease.
She said three years ago the landlords had tried to increase their rent by 57 per cent and she feared that could happen again.
“And like all businesses in Victoria it’s just been so horrendous we’re not confident in locking into another three year lease not knowing what is happening with the COVID recovery period,” she said.
It means the couple and their eight staff are now facing an uncertain future.
Mrs Stapelfeldt said they didn’t want to move.
“We have been a local business for over 30 years in Whitehorse,” she said.
“We’re well known and we’ve supported schools, kinders and sporting clubs for years.
“And if you saw the scope of the business it’s not just like moving an office, it’s huge.”
She pleaded with their landlords to “have a heart”.
“It’s a pandemic; have a heart; let us get back on our feet, negotiate with us,” she said.
Property manager Mandy Lee Real Estate director Henry Qian said since the lease term was going to expire at the end of October, they asked Mr and Mrs Stapelfeldt if they would like to exercise further options or not.
“As a result, Wallies Lollies Box Hill South replied that they would only consider exercising the option if the landlord halved the rent, or they might only consider extending the lease month by month,” Mr Qian said.
“Obviously, this offer is not acceptable from the landlord’s view. (The) landlord has offered a 50 per cent rent waiver during the pandemic period and is willing to keep offering such a discount until December, but it is not reasonable to half the rent for whole next term.
“By any means, according to contract, they need to give us an answer regarding if they would like to take further option, and then negotiate the rent in good faith.”
Mr Qian said the landlords were following the contracts’ terms and conditions and had given more flexibility to the tenants.
“Wallies Lollies just offered reducing the term to one year today (Tuesday, October 27) and I am delivering the offer to landlord. We are still waiting for landlord’s reply,” he said.
“Everyone is suffering during this pandemic period. Landlords are trying their best to help, and landlords definitely will conduct all actions complying with the government’s regulations.”
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