The store was founded in 1924 and for many years was one of the town's only retail businesses. (Supplied: Robert Harders)<\/p>\n
A general store that has operated in WA's South West for more than a century has hosted celebrations over the weekend to mark the end of an era.<\/p>\n
The once sleepy town of Vasse is now home to several major retail outlets, which Vasse General Store owners say has had a huge impact on their small business.<\/p>\n
The store has had just a handful of owners over the century, who each dedicated decades of their lives to the business.<\/p>\n
After 102 years, the South West's historic Vasse General Store is closing its doors amid staunch retail competition in the growing residential area.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The century-old business has folded, with owners blaming the arrival of major supermarket, Coles and Vasse Farmers' Market, which is majority owned by Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting.<\/p>\n
The small business has suffered with big business capitalising on the town's booming population and road traffic generated by tourists travelling to popular locations throughout the region.<\/p>\n
The store, originally founded by the McGuiness family in 1924 and located 232 kilometres south of Perth, has had just a handful of owners who each dedicated decades of their lives to taking very special care of the community keystone.<\/p>\n
The Vasse General Store has operated for more than a century. (Supplied: Vasse General Store)<\/p>\n
Gloria and Neil MacDonald took carriage of the store in 2000, working diligently to keep it afloat for 26 years, choosing to finally shut up shop and retire.<\/p>\n
"I'll probably be a bit teary \u2026 but I know that I've done the best I can and it's been a great journey," Mrs MacDonald said.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, the Vasse General Store hosted a closing celebration, commemorating 26 years of ownership by the MacDonalds and 102 years of operation. (Supplied: Vasse General Store)<\/p>\n
The closure comes less than two years after nearby commercial developments were completed, landing Coles, McDonald's, Vasse Village and Shell on the small business's doorstep.<\/p>\n
She said the recent explosion of major retailers just a few hundred metres away has impacted the business.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gloria and Neil MacDonald are set to retire after the store closes later this week. (Supplied: Vasse General Store)<\/p>\n