Rutherford’s former IGA supermarket is poised to receive a facelift worth more than $1million in a move set to revitalise the original section of the suburban shopping centre.
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The building’s Sydney-based owners who have owned the premises for 11 years, will carry out the refurbishment which will include a fresh exterior and interior and rebranding.
Matthew Higgins from Starr Partners Maitland and Michael Boom from Knight Frank Commercial Real Estate Newcastle, are marketing the property with plans to either break it up into several tenancies or lease it to one major tenant.
Mr Higgins said the 2000 square metre commercial site has the capacity to remain as a sole trading site or be divvied up to 14 smaller tenancies.
“All the infrastructure is there and it is still set up in supermarket form at this stage,” Mr Higgins said.
“It will have a completely new facade and the old tiled roof will be changed giving it a more modern look.
“The owners want to light up the alley-way between Coles and Woolworths, possibly get in some food vendors and bring the old centre back to life again which will benefit all businesses,” Mr Higgins said.
“Rutherford is in demand and growing as reported nationally last week. More people are settling in the area and deserve a variety when it comes to shopping.”
While nothing has been set in stone, Mr Higgins said there has been strong inquiry from some smaller traders and some larger operators, all mostly from the Hunter area.
Ritchies Supa IGA, formerly Bullens IGA Supermarket, closed its doors in January - NSW state manager David Scally citing the over saturation of other supermarkets in the precinct.
