De Grandi’s Intersport Geelong to close, bike business moving to Mercer St

A much loved South Geelong sports shop is shutting its doors after over 30 years.

De Grandis staff Ian Murray, left, Jemima Hargreaves and Brett Kellett prepare to move out the Moorabool St store. Picture: Alison Wynd

A much-loved South Geelong sports shop is shutting its doors after more than 30 years.

Intersport De Grandi’s last day of trade will be on July 10, after accepting an offer from an investor to sell the location.

Owner Damian De Grandi said he hadn’t planned on vacating the well-positioned Moorabool St building, across the road from Kardinia Park.

“A local investor happened to knock on the door and make us an offer,” Mr De Grandi said.

“The only thing that gave us any concern was the one condition attached that we had to be out of the building completely by July 10.

“We accepted the offer based on the fact a few of us are ready for retirement, and you just don’t know whether an offer like that’s going to come along.

De Grandis in Moorabool St is relocating to Mercer St. Picture: Alison Wynd

“It took a lot of soul searching, it was a gut wrenching decision.”

But it’s not all bad news.

The popular cycling business attached will move back to Mercer St, just meters away from where it first opened its doors in 1929.

“We have managed to find an alternate premises for our bike business,” Mr De Grandi said.

“So the bikes are going to continue.”

De Grandi’s has been in the building since 1992, first branded as Play Well.

Damian De Grandi in 2006.

After a few name changes, it became one of the first Intersport stores in the country in 2014.

Mr De Grandi said the reaction from customers regarding the closure was bittersweet.

“Most people have been a little bit disappointed, sorrowful, I suppose,” he said.

“We’ve had some fantastic customers over the years, and a lot of loyalty from Geelong people, clubs, schools, all sorts of organisations, and we hope we’ve serviced them well.

A younger Damian De Grandi.

“We appreciate all the support we’ve received throughout the years, but you know, nothing goes on forever

Until its closure, the business will be holding a sale to move as much stock as possible.

“I’ve got to get rid of as much of it as I can,” Mr De Grandi said.

“I don’t want to go and store stuff, we want to virtually close the store and there be nothing left, even though we know that’s an impossibility.”

De Grandi’s will reopen on Mercer St early next month.

Originally published as De Grandi’s Intersport Geelong to close, bike business moving to Mercer St