Elanora Heights Newsagency and Post Office: Beloved main street business to close after 24 years

The move to online shopping and digital mail has led to a heart wrenching decision by the owners of a beloved suburban newsagency and post office to close its doors after 24 years.

Karla Rothpletz-Tatt outside the Elanora Heights Newsagency and Post Office in 2012. She and husband Stephen Tatt are closing the business in July, after 24 years serving the community. Picture: Simon Cocksedge

The owners of a beloved suburban newsagency and post office on the northern beaches are closing its doors after 24 years serving the community.

Karla Rothpletz-Tatt and her husband Stephen Tatt have been keeping the popular main street Elanora Heights Newsagency and Post Office open seven days a week, but are struggling to make a living as more people shop online.

The business in the Kalang Rd shopping precinct will shut up shop for the last time in late July — a decision that’s saddened its hundreds of regular customers.

In an outpouring of well wishes on social media sites, locals say they will miss Karla and Stephen’s friendly and reliable service as well as their commitment to the community.

“Oh my gosh, I can’t imagine Elanora without Carla and Steve,” customer Roz Forrest posted.

The owner of the Elanora Newsagency and Post Office, Karla Rothpletz-Tatt (centre) with staff members Sam Beard (left) and Lee Nourse, on Tuesday. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

Elle Jay Kay wrote: “This is such a pity — end of an era and a great loss to the high street.”

“You and Steve have worked so hard and always, always, always, been the greatest ambassadors for our suburb,” Lisa McQueen posted.

The owners of the Elanora Newsagency and Post Office, Stephen Tatt and Karla Rothpletz-Tatt with their daughter Michala (centre). Picture: Supplied

“Thank you for all of the early mornings, long days, and weekends of serving our community.”

Karla, who grew up in Elanora Heights and still lives just around the corner from the shop, said she and Stephen had built up the newsagency and updated the licensed post office that provided Australia Post products and services.

They ended up providing 180 post office boxes used by local businesses and residents for their mail deliveries.

“We’ve worked really hard, opening seven days a week, and turned this into a really successful post office and newsagency, servicing a lot of people,” Karla said on Tuesday.

The owners of the Elanora Newsagency and Post Office, Stephen Tatt and Karla Rothpletz-Tatt with staff members. Picture: Supplied

“Our customers are treated like family really and we’ve been blessed with beautiful, beautiful staff and I’m still friends with many of them.

“It’s been fantastic.”

But, Karla said that “in an age” where more people were shopping on the internet, using less traditional mail and getting their lottery and Lotto tickets online “we are not getting the turnover”.

“I can’t afford to hire extra staff as basically we work for the love of it and Stephen says he needs a rest,” she said.

“I’m struggling, though, with the idea that we’ll be closing. We will really miss this beautiful community, but we are not moving away.

“I’m looking for another job.

Owner of the Elanora Newsagency and Post Office, Karla Rothpletz-Tatt, will continue with her work as a founder of the annual Elanora Heights Village Christmas Markets. Picture: Supplied

“I love Elanora Heights. I love being five minutes away from being in the surf, or five minutes away from getting on a horse.”

Locals are organising a community send-off dinner on July 20.

The owners of the Elanora Newsagency and Post Office, Stephen Tatt and Karla Rothpletz-Tatt, will be given a community send-off when they close the business in late July 2025.

Karla also vowed she would continue her work as a founder of the annual Elanora Heights Village Christmas Markets.

And she reminded locals that the newsagency still had “lots of bargains”.

“So come up and say bye and help us empty the shop,” she said.

Originally published as Elanora Heights Newsagency and Post Office: Beloved main street business to close after 24 years