A CLOUD of confusion hovers over Pakenham’s oldest supermarket.
Rumours have been circulating for weeks that the Ritchies IGA store in Main Street is set to close.
Yet repeated attempts by the Gazette to get a straight answer out of IGA headquarters have drawn a blank.
All they are saying is that at this point, no decision has been made about the future of the store.
Hairdresser Graham Treloar, who has traded in the town longer than anyone, has heard the rumours.
He said it would be sad if the store succumbed to the pressure of the supermarket giants and closed.
But he has also heard that the site could become an Aldi supermarket, which would at least maintain the grocery history.
Graham said the corner site first operated as Robinson’s SSW, then sold to Safeway and then became an IGA when Safeway moved down the road.
The Gazette will attempt to keep readers informed of any updates.
Keep an eye on the website pakenham.starcommunity.com.au.
