Westfield Knox: McDonald’s closes at Wantirna South shopping centre food court

A popular and longstanding fast food outlet at Westfield Knox has closed its doors amid a string of shops that haven’t renewed their lease at the ageing centre.

Fast food giant McDonald’s has closed is popular outlet at Westfield Knox and has no plans to return.

Several shoppers have lamented the closure of the Maccas on the level two food court, with one saying although the Knox Ozone dining precinct was great, there was not much on offer for diners inside the centre.

Knox Leader previously reported a number of major retailers have abandoned the ageing centre with still no sign of the centre’s long-awaited upgrade announced eight years ago.

On Knox Leader’s Facebook page Wendi Emmerson said Westfield Knox needed a complete overhaul.

“(When I saw McDonald’s had closed) I thought geez things are real bad if Maccas has gone.

“It used to be the best centre. Now it’s just awful I go to Eastland instead.”

A McDonald’s Australia spokesperson said the Knox City store closed last August as it was approaching the end of its lease.

“We look forward to continuing to serve our valued Knox customers at nearby restaurants, with the closest being 2km south east at McDonald’s Ferntree Gully,” the spokesperson said.

In 2017, a report found McDonald’s was shifting away shopping centre food courts, moving its focus towards airports, railways and highways.

But there is some good news for those looking for a coffee fix at Westfield Knox, with popular chain Soul Origin opening its doors.

A Westfield Knox spokesperson said: “Our food court remains an important part of our dining offer here at Westfield Knox.

“In December, we welcomed Soul Origin to the precinct and KFC and Subway also completed their store upgrades before Christmas.”

In December, Westfield Knox also introduced Ozone Park to customers, a COVID-Safe pop-up, outdoor dining and entertainment precinct on Melbourne St.

The park features multiple seating zones and pop-up shipping container bar, Lyrebird Bar. Customers can purchase takeaway from any of the centre’s food-court or dining retailers and enjoy the live music and ambience on offer.

Leader revealed in December 2019 the long-awaited revamp of Westfield Knox is set to include a fashion, fresh food and casual dining precinct, including an outdoor children’s play area surrounded by a cafe.

Last November, a Westfield Knox spokesperson told Leader it remained committed to investing in a renewal of the centre and would have more updates to share in 2021.