The announced closure of Narrabri discount store Crazy Clark’s is a blow to the community, Narrabri Chamber of Commerce deputy president Mr Ian Duffey said. The store, which employs up to 15 casual and three permanent staff, will close at the end of the month after the chain of which it is a member was placed in receivership.
“Any business closure in the retail sector is a blow to the wider community” Mr Duffey said. “The store
attracted several hundred customers each day, so it was obviously filling a need.
“The Chamber is seeking more information on its future operations and exploring replacement discount stores.
“A shop like this is an important part of the retail community, it helps build Narrabri as a destination for shoppers who also spend in other sectors” said Mr Duffey.
Bargain hunters have been flocking in to Crazy Clark's following the announcement that the Narrabri business and others in the discount chain have been placed in receivership.
There has been a discount store, in various configurations including a Crazy Prices, at the Maitland Street site for 20 years.
Manager Matt Soper has been in charge at Crazy Clark's for seven years.
"We have been advised we will be closing the store on July 27" Matt said.
The Courier understands the Narrabri store was trading well, up with the group leader in profitability in the region which includes 10 stores in Gunnedah and Moree and major centres like Ballina, Grafton and Coffs Harbour.
It is understood 100 of the 143 stores in the Discount Superstore Group (DSG) nationally were in profit and that the receivers, KordaMentha, plan to sell the profitable businesses.
Crazy Clark's filled a niche in the retail sector and drew customers to Narrabri from the region. Staff said that the store had been hectic over the past week since discount signs had been plastered across the shop windows.
"We have quadrupled our sales since the news of the receivership spread" a staff member told The Courier.
