The town’s Bon Bon Cafe announced on Thursday it would stop trading at the weekend.

Owner Monica Outen said a significant reduction in traffic after the Mallee Football League disbanded in 2015, compounded by costly power and gas overheads, left her little choice.

The business, which offered a number of items including homemade pizzas, fish and chips and various groceries, had been in Hopetoun since the 1920s.

Ms Outen said the decision to close was heartbreaking.

“I’ve worked 90-hour weeks for 22 years. It wasn’t just about running a business and making money – it’s a community I’ve lived in for a long time,” she said.

“You try to do the best you can for your community – unfortunately it sometimes doesn’t pan out.

“It’s a very disappointing end to something you’ve tried so hard to make work.”

Wimmera Mallee Tourism Association chairwoman and Yarriambiack councillor Helen Ballentine, who lives in Hopetoun, said it was a huge loss for the town.

“The business provided day and after-hours services seven days a week,” she said.

“It was an exceptional business and known throughout the Wimmera Mallee, and further afield.

“We are so grateful for what Monica has done.

“We have many great businesses, but they are mostly the nine to five providers.

“From a tourism perspective, weekend business is now a concern.”

Cr Ballentine said she remained hopeful for the town.

“I think Hopetoun is suffering the effects of dry years, but I don’t believe the economy is that flat that it can’t support the businesses it has,” she said.

“We have a strong future, but we must hold on to what we’ve got and support it.”

Cr Ballentine said she hoped someone would consider buying the cafe. 

“I absolutely understand people getting tired – running a business is a huge commitment,” she said.

“I encourage young families to consider some of the businesses in the region. It doesn't matter if it's Edenhope, Jeparit or Hopetoun – we all need a little bit of fresh energy.

“Tourists seem to be increasing and hopefully the Silo Art Trail will continue to bring people in, so that just might inspire someone to take our cafe on.”

Cr Ballentine said succession planning was also crucial for Hopetoun’s future. 

“If we want to retain shops in our towns, we need to help them,” she said.

“If you live in a small place, it takes everyone to make things work. We’ve always had that mentality in Hopetoun, but it’s harder when the seasons are challenging.”

Cr Ballentine said she was aware the football league’s demise had affected businesses, but there were also other factors.

“We need a bit of rationalising. Some of the other communities such as Patchewollock and Woomelang have combined their businesses,” she said.

Cr Ballentine said the town’s geographic position meant it needed to be self-sufficient.

“We can’t do without certain businesses – we're 80 minutes from Horsham and Swan Hill, and two hours from Mildura,” she said.

“We need one of everything in our town. I encourage people to ensure they support the shops we have left.

“I’m very sorry to see Monica close because we needed her. You hope someone might come along and say, ‘There's all these tourists coming to the lake, and there’s the silo trail – this is a good opportunity’.”

Ms Outen, who also runs the Woomelang General Store and Cafe, said the building would go on the market.

“The Mallee is an amazing place to live. Hopefully the other businesses will prosper,” she said.

The cafe’s closure generated about 100 comments after it was announced on the business’s Facebook page.

Many people reacted with sadness, wishing Ms Outen and her husband Peter well and thanking them for their services.