Saratoga Shopping Village rises from ashes

Shopkeepers in the Saratoga Shopping Village report that trade has returned to near normal following a fire in February 2006 and its reopening in September.

The fire destroyed seven shops including the IGA Supermarket and butcher with the result that customers were forced to shop elsewhere for just over six months.
IGA Supermarket owner, Michael Evans, said that they were concerned that customers would change their shopping patterns and this would be hard to change.
“Our customer count is still down by about 15% but our turnover is about level,” said Mr Evans.
Mr Evans praised his insurance company, QBE Insurance, for the speed in which they processed his claim that allowed them to rebuild and get back into business within six months.
Butchers, Rob and Bruce Kay, who have been in the Centre for over twenty years said that business had recovered totally for them.
“We are very well known for the quality of our meat and sausages across the whole Coast,” said Rob Kay, “we have customers who come from as far away as Toukley, Narara and Umina so as soon as they knew we were back in business that returned. Our only regret was that we couldn’t enter the Best Australian Sausage Competition for 2006. We have won third prize on a couple of occasions,” he said.
Between them, Michael Evans and Rob Kay have reinvested over a million dollars in the centre which is evidence of their confidence in the future of Saratoga Shopping Village which services the neighbouring Yattalunga and Davistown areas.
Ruth Cameron of Saratoga Real Estate and Centre Manager said that she is confident the Centre will recover and be even more successful. “A new take-away store will open in June and we are looking for a coffee shop and medical service such as a doctor or physiotherapist.
For those looking to establish a coffee shop at Saratoga Shopping Centre Ruth Cameron can be contacted on 43692322
Not all of the complex was damaged in the fire. The newsagency, pharmacy and real estate office were saved.
Built some thirty years ago Saratoga Shopping Village has a Gross Lettable Area of 2,000 sqm and is owned by private investors from Melbourne.

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