Katherine's longest running supermarket closed its doors to the public one month ago, leaving a gaping hole on an already struggling main street.
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Most likely, it is the first time Five Star has been closed since it opened in the 1920's - bar a brief period in 1998 following the devastating flood which saw water lapping above doorways.
Supermarket operator Bob Loughnan closed the heavy metal grilles a month ago.
Landlord of more than 20 years, Peter Berry, is now looking for another use for the building.
At the time Mr Berry said Mr Loughnan had been fighting to keep the supermarket open despite a fall in customers, which followed quickly behind the implementation of the most significant changes to the Northern Territory's alcohol policies.
"The police presence with regards to the sale of liquor have driven people out of town and the supermarket really felt it," Mr Berry said.
The empty shop is now unofficially on the market, Mr Berry has confirmed.
It is yet to be advertised and Mr Berry is keeping tight-lipped on the going price.
He said he has been contacting people he knows in an attempt to keep out the middle man.
And while he would be happy to see it picked up as a supermarket again, he is willing to see change if it means the space is occupied.
"It has a long tradition of being a food store," Mr Berry said.
"That would be the best outcome - it is not good having just one food store in town, it is good to have choice and competition."
A large chain in direct competition with Woolworths has not been ruled out, but would require a developer to purchase the store and negotiate with supermarket giants.
Mr Berry said he has not received any inquiries from fast food chains.
"We would really like to have a tenant," Mr Berry said, "it is not good to have empty shops on the street."
Many residents took to social media to voice their gloom over the closure following an article by the Katherine Times.
"Was a great place to shop in the 70s. Amazing what they stocked in there. Very sad to see it go," one person commented.
"Was always so convenient right there with friendly quick service," was another.
While others remained sceptical questioning the store's reliance on selling alcohol.
"Just goes to show how the past and present owners of this place made all their money from the sale of alcohol and subsequent harm it's caused so many people. Good riddance I say," one person said.
Mr Berry maintains the NT's suite of alcohol harm reduction measures are the main reason for the sudden closure.
For more information about buying or leasing Five Star, call Peter Berry on 0411708324
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