Riot Art & Craft at Miranda to take stock and staff from other stores in chain which are closing

Timothy McElhinney, the manager of the Miranda outlet, fielded many inquiries on Saturday from concerned customers as big "Sale" signs were displayed and shelves dismantled.

Mr McElhinney said changes were being made to accommodate stock from affected stores.

Employees from those stores are also being relocated to Miranda.

Mr McElhinney has managed the Miranda store for the three and a half years since it moved from an upper level, where it had operated for about 15 years, to its present ground floor location at the western end.

The first Riot Art & Craft Store opened in Melbourne in 1974 and recently there were 58 stores across Australia and about 500 employees.