Robert “Bobbo” Hodgetts, the fourth generation of his family to run the business, was forced to shut the store on the last day in October due to personal circumstances. 

It is the first time the store had closed since the Hodgetts family took over in 1924.

Mr Hodgetts, who did not wish to disclose details about why the store was forced to shut, said many smaller towns like Landsborough survived on a general store.

“Some of my customers are now going to Navarre, Stawell and Ararat,” he said. 

“They always have, but now more so and it is a bit concerning that our town can’t offer them those needs.”

Mr Hodgetts said the town would also miss out on money spent by people travelling through the area.

“We aren’t on the highway as such but we always get travellers coming through the town, blockies coming up from Melbourne, they come up bi-monthly, and other travellers,” he said. 

“You certainly don’t want to leave a small town like ours without a shop.”

Mr Hodgetts said the diesel and fuel service at the store was the biggest loss to the community.

Landsborough resident Gary Edwards has been refueling his vehicle at the town’s general store for seven years and said he and many others will now be inconvenienced.

But he also said it was the “small things” he would miss.

“You would always get a laugh there,” he said. 

“It was early morning stimulation – the social aspect is a big thing there, we all enjoy it, everyone was good-natured – I will miss all of that.

“This store had everything –  batteries, tools, equipment – the other day I needed one specific bolt and you come here, you don’t have to buy it in bulk, so it was very convenient just to come here whenever you wanted to get one-off items.”

Town resident Janeane Edwards said the Landsborough General Store was more than a shop – it was a social hub and a meeting place.

“Bobbo had a little coffee machine and some table and chairs we would all sit around,” she said.

“He collected our rainfall which we put in our town newsletter and if people stayed at the caravan park they could come here and collect the key – It is a real trust thing.”

Mrs Edwards said she now feared the town would die. 

“People virtually lived out of the store here,” she said. 

“Now how does the town retain its attractiveness for families to come. It is difficult if you have a young family and nowhere to buy the necessities.”

Navarre General Store is the nearest shop of its kind to Landsborough and owner Ray Newdick said he had noticed an influx of Landsborough residents frequenting his store. He said he had also heard feedback many of them were preparing to leave the town. 

“Many have said they were willing to sell up,” he said.

“This is not good, you will then have empty houses and a dying town – the value of properties will plummet.”

Mr Newdick helped to save the Landsborough Post Office eight years ago. He managed the site for six months until he found a family from Navarre who purchased the store and still run it today. 

“I want to try and help these small towns, they are important,” he said. 

Mr Newdick was aware of the Landsborough General Store closure a month in advance, so a new hi-flo diesel pump was brought in for trucks, tractors and fuel trailors to cope with the extra demand. 

“A lot of farmers are starting the harvest season so someone will need to cater for them,” he said. 

Landsborough farmer Peter Browne said he always relied on the town’s general store for fuel.

“Now I have to drive 15 minutes to Navarre, so it’s more of an inconvenience thing,” he said. 

“But even the little things, like a bag of cement you have to go to Stawell rather than here.

“Or even just something to eat, when you're busy you would go past and get a pie but now you can’t do that – It’s handy and that is why most people support their local stores. 

“It’s been here all my life, was always a part of my routine, but not anymore.”