Mystery surrounds the sudden closure of a neighbourhood supermarket just six months after opening, leaving customers wondering whether the situation is permanent or temporary.
The store was the main tenant in a newly developed shopping complex on the southern end of Sunshine Coast.
IGA supermarket W’Gusto opened within Dockside Village at 1 The Basin, Pelican Waters, on July 3, 2024, specialising in gourmet foods and a range of local products.
W’Gusto owners and operators Greg and Lecinda Weiss were key drivers in the Dockside Village development, alongside South-East Queensland developers Flux Property.
Sunshine Coast News understands a notice was placed on the door informing of an “unforeseen” closure over the Australia Day long weekend, detailing the store would reopen on January 28.
However, the store remains closed with a notice now reading: “Closed until further notice.”
Residents have taken to social media to ask what has happened to the store and there are some claims that staff have been let go or are owed money, however SCN has been unable to verify this.
A spokesperson from Metcash, IGA’s parent company, said the store was independently owned and operated.
They did, however, confirm W’Gusto had ceased trading as an IGA, and that IGA signage was removed on Friday.
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SCN has attempted to contact Mr and Mrs Weiss to clarify the status of the store’s closure.
The company is still listed as active of the Australia Business Register, under W’Gusto Supermarkets Pty Ltd.
However, the shop’s landline rings out and W’Gusto Facebook, Instagram and TikTok pages appear to have been deactivated or deleted.
Flux Property sold the asset last year and the company informed SCN it was no longer across the status of tenants.
