The Terrace Shopping Centre Mooroolbark: Old school centre stuck in time

The Mooroolbark Terrace is in desperate need of an overhaul but other centres are even worse, according to fed up shoppers.

The embattled Terrace Shopping Centre in Mooroolbark is not the only centre in desperate need of an overhaul, according to fed up shoppers.

In a Leader poll of more than 300 people, readers voted for Boronia Mall as the centre most in need of an upgrade, followed by the The Terrace and Northcote Plaza.

Readers also nominated Coldstream, Wheelers Hill, and Vermont South as centres that need a makeover.

“Do something about Coldstream, that place needs major development and it’s suffering. IGA and the small group of shops there, get little to no business,” Paul said.

“A Woolies or Aldi would do wonders for Mooroolbark Terrace, I remember there a supermarket, bank, Tattersall and a fast food shop growing up there as a kid,” Mark said.

It’s been described as the shopping mall “stuck in time” – and nothing seems likely to change anytime soon at a shopping centre in Melbourne’s outer east.

The Terrace Shopping Centre Mooroolbark still has many of its original features from when it was built in 1982, including retro floors, ceilings and a kiosk.

But the centre is now eerily quiet – although many businesses are still operating from within the centre, most are closed to the public, and foot traffic is scarce.

The history of the centre has been captured in a YouTube video by Stormofilms, which reveals it was once home to many popular stores, including Leo’s menswear, Bojangles Music and Ted’s Butcher.

Mooroolbark Terrace Shopping Centre on Brice Ave.

But over the years most stores have closed, including the popular IGA supermarket, leaving Coles across the road as the only supermarket in the town.

An $11 million attempt by Woolworths to move into The Terrace in 2017 was blocked, with a source previously telling Leader Woolies had put plans on hold after it was denied 20 car spaces by the owners’ corporation.

Leader previously reported all the Terrace shops are individually owned and the owner of the nearby Mooroolbark Coles building also owns a shop in the Terrace and was opposed to Woolworths buying the parking spaces.

When Leader recently visited the centre, only a handful of people walked through, with most shops closed or empty.

Mooroolbark Terrace Shopping Centre.

The First Impressions Clothing Exchange, previously based in the centre, closed last November and relocated to Lilydale.

Brett Clarke, who has run his jewellery business from the centre for 37 years, said it needed redevelopment.

He said 20 shop owners not only owned their stores, but also a percentage of the land at the centre.

Mr Clarke said there were 14 businesses still operating but a number were not retail shops, including a cleaning supply business, sausage maker, and tattooist.

An Asian grocer, hairdresser and furniture store are open to the public.

“Out of 22 shops there are still 14 being rented out,” he said.

Mr Clarke said he would like to see Woolworths open in the centre, but was unsure how it would overcome the hurdles in place.

Mooroolbark Terrace Shopping Centre: Terrace Jewellers owner Brett Clarke

“I think Coles needs opposition so it would be great to have a Woolworths here and that would help all the other shops,” he said.

“(The centre) needs to be completely redeveloped or something else has to come here.

“A housing development, units and small shopping centre (could be a possibility).”

Mr Clarke said he would be open to negotiations.

“Anything would be better than what we’ve got here,” he said.

“It is a bit sad.

“It’s like stepping back into time.”

But Mr Clarke said there was no trouble at the centre, with a great security system in place.

He also appreciated being part of a smaller centre and not having to pay a big rent bill.

“I would rather be here than in a big centre paying huge rent.”

The old video store remains empty.

A Woolworths spokesperson said it had no current plans to open in Mooroolbark.

“(But) it is identified as a gap in our network and we will continue to review options to provide a fresh grocery offering to the community,” the spokesperson said.

Another trader at the centre, who did not wish to be named, said she and her husband were considering closing their business because foot traffic was so slow.

She said a supermarket and upgrades to the interior of the centre would be a big help.