Stud Park Shopping Centre: Rowville’s The Reject Shop to close on Stud Road

A popular Stud Park shop is closing its doors after half a decade, with fears for other small businesses hit hard by the pandemic.

A popular store is closing at Stud Park Shopping Centre.

The Reject Shop at Stud Park Shopping Centre is closing its doors, with fears the impact of the pandemic is having a devastating impact on the area’s small businesses.

After five years based at the Rowville centre, the popular discount store will shut next month.

A Stud Park Shopping Centre spokesperson confirmed the closure.

“The Reject Shop has been a valued tenant for five years and we wish them all the best for the future,” the spokesperson said.

“Store changes in shopping centres are common as leases expire and we remain committed to evolving our retail mix to meet the needs of our customers.

“We look forward to announcing a new retailer in due course.”

At this week’s Knox Council meeting, Cr Nicole Seymour said the most recent lockdown, and the last number of months dealing with the pandemic, had had a big impact on small businesses and households economically.

As well as mental health issues, Cr Seymour said many people were also struggling to make ends meet, as cost of living costs were increasing and there was insecurity around income.

“We’ve seen a number of small businesses in my ward close, or in the process of closing, with the most recent announcement being The Reject Shop at Stud Park,” she said.

“It doesn’t bode well and we need to be very mindful of what is going on for our community with respect to jobs, employment and small business.”

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