General News
2 October, 2026
Beloved store closing
THE Stratford General Store is closing on Sunday after a lease proposal made the business unviable.
Owner Craig Gunderson said on Facebook it was “with incredible sadness … we would like to advise that Sunday 4 October will be our last day”.
“More than two years ago, our landlord, through a technicality, refused to renew our existing lease. The subsequent offer simply isn’t viable,” he said.
“We have explored every avenue possible to try to ensure Stratford could retain a general store, but sadly, to no avail.
“The experts we have consulted agree that the current offer on the table makes the business unsellable.
“With no other option, we have made the devastating decision to close.
“We are very aware of the impact this will have on our community and that only compounds our sadness. We tried.
“The last 26 years have been some of the best years of our lives. Thank you to all our loyal regulars.”
Mr Gunderson has asked customers to “help us clear the shelves, the fridges and the stockroom” and to join “one last shebang” with drinks from 3pm on Sunday to “send off the Stratford General Store in the way we know best – with a drink”.
