Chaos at Frankston Myer’s insane closing down sale

A much-loved department store has shut its doors for the last time, turning off the lights on over 50 years of retail in Victoria.

A Melbourne Myer store has shut its doors for the last time, turning off the lights on over 50 years of retail in Frankston.

The stock was left to dwindle until Saturday’s closure, but what was left was sold at 90 per cent off.

Regardless, the store was filled with those either keen to score a last-chance bargain or others just eager to walk around the eerily empty department store.

For the Frankston community, it will prove a significant loss.

“So sad that Myer Frankston is closing today. A retail institution that has been there for all of my life,” one local shopper said.

“Many happy memories have been created there. My go-to shop. I feel like a part of me has been taken away.”

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Frankston Myer has closed its doors after 50 years of trade. Picture: Facebook/Tony Clough

Former worker Tony Clough remembered his time at the store fondly.

“It’s a bit of a nostalgic day with Myers Frankston closing today after 50 years,” he posted to Facebook.

Photos show the once-thriving store all but empty. Picture: Facebook

“It was my first job as a young casual for five years from 1978. I loved working there selling vinyl LPs for $4.99 … Good times!”

Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke said the closure was an “end of an era”.

“Myer Frankston closed its doors for the last this week, the end of an era. A big thanks to all staff that have served us all for more than 50 years,” he said.

Local Labor MP Michael Galea said staff should be proud of their store.

“After 50 years of trade, Myer Frankston will today close its doors for the last time,” he said.

“In my previous career as a union organiser, I had the honour of working with and getting to know many of the staff in the store and built some lasting friendships.

Crowds gathered at Frankston Myer as the retailer sold the remainder of its stock at 90 per cent off. Picture: 7NEWS

“The other day, I caught up with some of the team to share memories and discuss their plans for the future.

“Many of them have been working here for well in excess of 20 years. They should all be very proud of their time at the store.”

In August, the department store giant confirmed it would close the store amid a nationwide “rationalisation” as Myer looks to downsize and focus more on online shopping.

The company shed almost 10 per cent of its floor space in Australia over the past four years, and in September 2021, Myer posted its most substantial profits in years.

Myer workers will be redeployed to Chadstone, Southland or Fountain Gate shopping centres once the Frankston store is cleared.

Bayside Shopping Centre in Frankston. Picture: Josie Hayden

“Our approach remains the same, to be a digital and data-led retailer having the appropriate balance between online and physical stores, with our store network continuing to be an asset to our business,” Myer’s CEO John King said last year.

“We thank our Frankston team members for their service and contribution to the business and our Frankston customers for their loyalty to the store – and we trust they will continue to shop with us at our nearby stores or online.”

Bayside Shopping Centre in Frankston, where Myer was located, has yet to disclose which tenants will take over the large, three-level vacancy.

Originally published as Chaos at Frankston Myer’s insane closing down sale