The Great Western General Store will live on but at a new location from next week.
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The store will shut its doors on the corner of Cubitt and Main Streets in Great Western at 5pm on Friday but will remain in the town.
The post office which runs in the store will relocate behind the chemist on Main Street, Great Western while the General Store will continue at Salinger's Cafe.
“I will continue to run the Post Office from the small shop behind the Chemist at 96 Main Street and I approached the Ahchows to take over the General Store at Salinger's Cafe, which is still on the Highway, directly across the road," General Store owner Tracey McCartney said.
Related: Salingers ownership changes hands
"They have had tradespeople there for the last couple of weeks working on the joinery and access to the new General Store.”
The move will take place after the store's landlord and Mrs McCartney were unable to reach an agreement for a new lease.
Mrs McCartney had owned the store for 12 years and said it is disappointing to be moving, especially under circumstances beyond her control.
"It is not how I wanted it to happen," she said.
“I looked into so many options, and in true Great Western style, a plan was made to ensure the service will continue in the town.
“It’s been hugely upsetting. Great Western needs a general store and post office. They are essential services.
"Great Western isn't like Stawell where you can just go to a supermarket. The store gives people an option in town."
Salingers Cafe owner Bruce Ahchow said the cafe and relocated store will operate separately.
“We first considered making it at part of the current cafe, but Salinger’s is busy enough on it’s own and we didn’t want to change that Salinger experience for our customers," he said.
"The General Store will be beside Salingers Cafe, and operate as a separately defined space.”
Thelma Spicer, who worked alongside Mrs McCartney at the store for 12 years, will continue her role at the store's new location.
Mrs McCartney said it was a relief to know the store will continue and is in safe hands.
"I was getting more and more anxious but it is good to know we have a solution. It's not ideal but the store will continue," she said.
"I am very pleased that Thelma will be going across the road to the new building.
"She has been amazing to work with and will continue doing a great job."
The store will be open seven days a week at its new location on 98 Main Street, Great Western with the post office open Monday to Friday from 9am until 12.30pm at 96 Main Street.
