Sad ending likely for Happy Jacks store

THE troubled Happy Jacks store at Lockwood South has closed its doors - perhaps for good.After months of controversy, calls to the store yesterday were unanswered and the shop was unattended.Maldon Newsagency owner Graeme Ford said he was told that as of Tuesday, the business would be closed for two days.The store is a sub-agent of Maldon Newsagency.Mr Ford said he didn't believe the closure was permanent."If it is, though, it's a real shame,'' he said."There is so much potential there."The business is there, it just needs to be run properly.''Earlier this month Australia Post sent security personnel to the store to collect the mail after the store owner locked Australia Post out.The owner of the Lockwood South building, which housed the post office, refused entry to Australia Post employees and representatives.Residents have to collect their mail from the Marong Post Office until a nest of community mailboxes is installed in Lockwood South.In February, residents were upset by a letter sent from the store owner demanding that they shop at the store or risk losing the post office.The letter said the post office was a financial drain on the core business and would close by March 19."I am of the belief that post office users have two misconceptions; they think the post office is at least profitable, if not a money-spinner, and they think the post office cannot be lost,'' the letter said. "Both of these assumptions are grossly incorrect. The service of collecting and sending parcels, money orders and bill payment is the service that is in doubt."`People can do one of two things… they can get on their high horse and talk s..., or they can ask themselves what they can do to help.''The letter said a survey would be taken to identify who used the store.