Ramsgate Beach Plaza business owners say they are on the brink of collapse as shoppers go elsewhere.
Froth Espresso owner Andy Omopoulos said trade had gone downhill since IGA replaced Franklins more than two years ago.
‘’The only thing that has changed is that more businesses are close to the brink,’’ he said.
‘’Saturday and Sundays have got so bad that we don’t see our first customers until 10:30am.
‘’When it was pumping down here you couldn’t even get in to see us until 6:30am.
‘’We’re headed to the brink.
‘’If they want to close us down just leave things as they are.’’
Instead he wants IGA replaced with an Aldi.
When the Leader visited the shopping strip last week the parking lot was full but most shops were empty.
Mr Omopoulos said it was typical day with workers using the free parking without shopping.
He has put together a petition to bring Aldi to the shopping strip.
So far almost every business owner on the shopping strip has signed the petition along with almost 100 of his customers.
Dr Shoe owner Michael Pilman has had his Ramsgate shop for more than 10 years but said IGA opening and the recent construction works had all but killed his business.
‘’IGA is the worst store here,’’ he said.
‘’I was here when Franklins came in but when IGA took over it just destroyed my business.
‘’I’m going broke. Business is down 70 per cent.’’
He is calling for a big store like Aldi to take over the IGA site.
While he waits he invested in a mobile van to pick up shoes from customers.
An Aldi spokeswoman said they currently had no immediate plans to open an additional Aldi store in the area.
‘’When establishing a new store, Aldi considers the long term potential of the area and population numbers,’’ she said.
’’We will update the community as our plans progress.’’
IGA did not respond to a request for comment.
