The Ipswich Rd shopping strip in Annerley is facing a significant shift as Brandons Shoe Repairs, a family-owned establishment with a 100-year history, becomes the latest casualty in a wave of closures that includes even the Annerley police station!
Following the imminent closure of cult retailer Fats Comics and the anticipated closure of Southside Antiques Centre, Brandons Shoe Repairs, which has occupied the same shopfront for 65 years, will cease operations at the end of the year.
Francis Brandon, who co-owns the store with her husband Trevor, claimed that their age and the lack of interest from potential buyers were the main factors in their decision to retire.
The closure of Brandons Shoe Repairs, which Joe Brandon and his business partner founded in 1924, signals the end of an era for the Annerley neighbourhood. The shop has served generations of local families, with schoolchildren and their parents frequenting the store for decades.
The Brandon family also owns the Fat Comics premises and refutes claims that high rent was the cause of its closure. Fat Comics owner Norm Bardell confirmed this, citing his sister’s relocation to Western Australia as the primary reason. Fat Comics will continue operating its online business.
The closures of Brandons Shoe Repairs, Fat Comics, and Southside Antiques Centre have left residents lamenting the loss of what made Annerley unique.
Many have taken to social media to express their sadness, highlighting the disappearance of other businesses such as Pennisi Fine Foods, the German bakery, the Persian grocer, African shops, a music shop, and the community bookshop.
This retail exodus extends beyond shops, as even the Annerley police station is being relocated to Stones Corner. The once-bustling Ipswich Rd shopping strip is transforming, leaving residents concerned about the future character of their suburb.
Published Date 15-July-2024
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