POPULAR specialty retailer With Pizzazz has called it quits after 15 years on the main street, but its owners plan to try their luck online.
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Co-owner Tony Carlin said it has come to point where they cannot continue trading out of a shopfront after the closure of many nearby stores over the years and a drop in foot traffic.
The husband-wife duo could not dodge a blow from the pandemic as well. Mr Carlin said they had no government assistance and were unable to negotiate rent relief with the landlord.
"There are no complementary neighbours anymore. Once they start to move out, the neighbourhood goes down hill," he said. "The passing traffic has dropped away.
"We had no rent relief and have been without government assistance because we are sole traders, so we fell through the cracks."
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Mr Carlin said it was sad to follow many other businesses that faced similar struggles, especially after making a significant contribution to the city's retail life.
"When a lot of the more interesting little shops close up, the city is left with a couple of malls with the same boring shops like every other mall in Australia," he said.
"It's an issue for country towns. They are losing their point of difference and edge. A lot of towns like Wagga are losing their personality with the closure of a coffee shop, a garden store or gift shop."
With Pizzazz will continue to sell products online via www.withpizzazz.com.au following a couple of successful years operating an Ebay store, Mr Carlin said.
"The nature of our business selling little fashion trinkets will always be a bit of struggle, but long-term I think we will be more successful than (in a shop)," he said.