THE doors of Lockwood’s historic Happy Jacks general store will close today, leaving the district without a newsagency and fast food outlet. Owner Bruce Hamilton said the property had been on the market for some time, but because of his other business commitments he was unable to devote time to management.“I hope someone comes along soon and buys the freehold, as they will have the business for nothing.“I have spent a lot of money in upgrading all the facilities, including a modern kitchen.’’Locals are far from happy with the turn of events.However, the post office section will remain open for a while.Mr Hamilton said he bought the business to put something back into the district where he had a successful subdivision. There is enormous historical significance attached to the site and the structure, which has been extensively renovated in keeping with its heritage past. The building incorporates the main original hotel wing in thoroughly restored condition, with sandstone and red brick feature walls, a tongue-and-groove ceiling supported by extended beams, original french windows and one remaining double doorway.The town of Lockwood was planned and surveyed before Bendigo in 1853 and is surrounded by agricultural land and alluvium, plus quartz mining at the Alexander Reef, about 3km west of town. The original owner-builder, Henry Auger, was a baker and left England in 1853. He arrived in Sydney and proceeded to the Bendigo goldfields.He tried his hand at the diggings, unsuccessfully, then resumed his old trade of baking, setting up in Ironbark. In 1862 he built the Happy Jacks store and dwelling and soon after gained a liquor licence, opposite Bullock Creek and a huge red gum - 34m high and 42m across. The original “Happy Jack’’ was John Kennedy, a shepherd on the nearby Ravenswood Run whose wife, Elizabeth Kennedy, found the first gold in Bullock Creek - starting a gold rush and the beginnings of Bendigo.