Family run Scarboro Hardware announces sad closure after 42 years as expired lease forces them out

Locals have been left devastated after family run Scarboro Hardware announced they will shut their doors at the end of the year.

The small business opened in 1983 and has been in the same location for more than 40 years, but after three generations of families working at the store, it’s set to shut down due to an expired lease on the car park.

Third generation and current owner Jarrad Elliot said that losing the car park would kill their business.

“It’s a leasing issue, we’ve got a massive car park at the back of the store, which has been in our lease forever, and it comes out of our lease at the end of the year,” he said.

“Council is also looking at rezoning that in the near future, so we’ve had meetings with them and they say that as part of their local planning scheme, they’re going to rezone that to residential.

“Which means the developers will move in quickly on those sort of blocks, and we’ll lose that car park.”

Having a large car park is a necessity for the hardware store, with the council rezoning dooming the business.

“Without a car park like that, a store like ours can’t function,” Mr Elliot said.

“We can’t get trucks in to unload, let alone tradies and customers to park, and get enough customers through the door to make it work here, that’s the main reason we’re going.”

Mr Elliot said they explored trying to move location, but finding a new 900 square metre block in the same area wasn’t feasible.

While moving away to a new suburb was never an option.

“That’s just not feasible for our business, our catchment area is our local customers around here, it’s too much of a gamble for us to move a business like this,” he said.

“It’s not a way you want to go out, after three generations, to go out like that.

“But it’s, I suppose, given us a chance to go out on our own terms, to a degree rather than, having to go our because it’s not feasible anymore, as a profitable business or anything like that — it’s nothing to do with that, it’s just we’re going to lose too many of our customers.”

Having made peace with the decision, the store will continue to run until the end of the year with plans to celebrate with their loyal customers, Mr Elliot adding that it “won’t be a sad ending”.

After the store announced the news to locals on Facebook, Scarboro Hardware received an outpour of support with many expressing their devastation.

“You’re irreplaceable, but honestly I’m impressed you stayed in business this long against so many headwinds. Great service, and it’s been a pleasure to step into your shop over the years. I really hope that whatever comes next for you is rewarding and fulfilling,” a customer said.

“You have all done a fabulous job at serving the community. You will be missed,” another wrote.

“So sad to hear this news, you will be greatly missed by the local community. Thank you for your great service and advice. Best of luck with your new ventures,” a third added.