Regional general store closing after larger competitors arrive

The historic Vasse General Store, which has stood in the South West of Western Australia for over a century, is closing its doors after struggling with competition from larger retailers. The once-sleepy town of Vasse is now home to several major retail outlets, including Coles, McDonald's, Vasse Village, and Shell, which have had a significant impact on the small business.

The store has had only a handful of owners over the past century, who each dedicated decades of their lives to the business. After 102 years, the store is closing amid increasing retail competition in the growing residential area. The owners blame the arrival of Coles and Vasse Farmers Market, which is majority owned by Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting, for the store's demise.

Gloria and Neil MacDonald took over the store in 2000 and worked diligently to keep it afloat for 26 years before finally closing it down and retiring. Mrs. MacDonald expressed her sadness about the closure, stating that she believes she did her best and that it has been a great journey. She noted that people now prefer to do a one-stop shop rather than trudging through the town.

The store still offered homemade cooking, a feature that major supermarkets cannot match. For much of its life, the general store served as a fuel station, post office, and a gathering place for the community. Robert Harders, who sold the store to the MacDonalds in 2000, highlighted the loyalty of the people he dealt with, calling them not just customers but family.