Franco Cozzo’s Footscray store on the market for $7 million

LEGENDARY furniture king Franco Cozzo has put his “Footiscray” store on the market for $7 million — and he has grand hopes for the redevelopment of his iconic site.

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A LEGENDARY furniture king’s iconic western suburbs store is up for grabs and could be transformed into luxurious apartments.

King of Baroque Franco Cozzo put his famed furniture store in “Footsicray” up for sale on Thursday, with a cool asking price of around $7 million.

The 1088sq m Hopkins St shop could be transformed into an apartment tower or new commercial site, subject to council approval.

Franco Cozzo’s store in Footscray is for sale again. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Opened by the flamboyant Mr Cozzo shortly after he arrived in Australia in 1956, it expanded to a second store in “Brunsawick” not long after.

The exuberant salesman still works in his stores and said he would miss his customers and the area if the site sold.

“But maybe I change-a my mind,” he said, “because firstly, I will miss all of my publicity.”

Mr Cozzo said he would like to keep the furniture shop and see apartments developed on top.

“Because the family will be furniture people always and I am the king of furniture,” he said.

The Footscray store bears a giant likeness of Franco Cozzo himself. Picture: David Smith

The past year has been tumultuous for Mr Cozzo, when police alleged that the Footscray legend had been living in fear from his son Luigi “Lou” Cozzo.

Luigi Cozzo was previously accused of threatening to kill his father in April 2016 but prosecutors dropped all charges against him on December 12, 2016.

“He called me a dog … told me I’ll fix you up, I’ll kill you,” Mr Cozzo said in court at the time.

“He called me all the names my mouth can’t say. I’m ashamed.”

The store is known for its over-the-top baroque furniture. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

However, the 82-year-old said today he didn’t want to retire, decades after charming Melburnians with his heavy accent and foreign-language TV sales pitches in the 1980s.

“If I retire what’s-a Franco Cozzo — finish — but I want to be an actor always,” he said.

However, the father of 10 said the western suburbs and Footscray would always have a special place in his heart.

“Footscray and the west has been good to me and is full of lovely, lovely people,” he said

“I love Footscray and I love Australia because it made me who I am.”

Commercial agent Rudy Kelemen said the property was targeted towards developers and was taking into consideration settlement periods.

“He’s 82 and there comes a time when you want to move on,” Mr Kelemen said.

He said the site had a lot to offer as it was 5km from Melbourne, close to public transport and in the heart of Footscray.

The agent said the Hopkins St shop was put on the market previously two years ago and is currently under offer.