One of Mount Lawley’s longest-running small businesses is preparing to close its doors after 45 years, with Mount Lawley Hardware marking the end of an era.
The family-run store is the latest casualty in Beaufort Street’s transformation from a strip of independent specialty stores into a precinct dominated by food outlets.
Locals say the closure signals the continued erosion of the street’s diversity and identity.
Why the doors are closing
Owners Lisa and Glenn Stagg have operated the store for 23 years, inheriting it from the founding family. But Ms Stagg says increasing costs and shifting consumer habits have made it impossible to continue.
“It’s just not viable anymore,” Ms Stagg said.
“It comes down to rents, to the economy […] The younger ones are buying places with no backyards, and they’re not [doing] DIYs.”
She says the impact of supplier demands has added to the strain.
Smaller independents are being locked out of competitive buying power as wholesalers push bulk orders and rebates that only large chains can afford.
“Suppliers are making it very hard because they want you to buy bulk…
So the margins are dropping and dropping.”
The shop’s end also reflects a broader change on Beaufort Street. Ms Stagg has watched the strip shift steadily from a hub of unique, independent shops to a strip largely sustained by hospitality.
“It used to be a very good area with independent, specialised shops, and now it’s just food” she said.
A loss for the community
For long-time customer John Macleod, who has been a regular at the store for more than 20 years, the loss is both practical and personal.
He says the decline of specialty stores on Beaufort Street has left the community poorer.
“It’s just small businesses being squashed by big businesses […] They do it strategically and slowly over time, [until] there’s no small businesses left.”
He remembers when the strip was lined with retailers offering niche products and services.
Today, the dominance of bars and restaurants has replaced much of the character that once drew locals to the area.
“Beaufort Street used to have lots of specialty stores, which made it really interesting for the community,” Mr Macleod said.
“Now, nearly every shop is a food shop.”
For Mr Macleod, Mount Lawley Hardware has represented more than a place to buy tools or paint. It has been a place where locals could rely on friendly service, trusted advice, and a sense of community connection.
“Where can you park, pop into the bank, then walk in and shoot the breeze about football for 15 minutes? You can’t do that in many places anymore,” he said.
Ms Stagg believes the greatest loss is the expertise independents provide to everyday customers.
“The main thing that is lost is knowledge […] When people come in here and need to know how to do a job properly, so it doesn’t fall apart, that’s going to be gone.” she said.
For the community, the shop’s closure marks another step in Beaufort Street’s changing identity.
