Jan Juc General Store to stay open

THE Jan Juc General Store will remain open, with owner Dujin (Jin) Zheng deciding to continue running the local business.

It was expected the popular store would close at the end of July, but the community has banded together in support of Jin keeping the doors open.

The store owner originally announced the closure in May, when he made the decision that due to financial factors, he would not renew his lease.

Over the past month, people across the community have popped in for photos, hugs, stories and to sign a memory book, while children emptied their money boxes in an attempt to save the shop.

In a letter addressed to the community and posted on a local Facebook page, Jin said the community has shown him the store isn’t just a business.

“To you, our incredible community,” the letter read.

“Your signatures, tears and lolly jar donations didn’t just touch me – they rewrote our story.

“When kids hand you coins saying ‘Don’t go’ you realise your work matters far beyond profits.”

Jin also thanked the general store’s compassionate landlords Kerrie and Peter, whose willingness to revise the lease terms made the revival possible.

The community is being encouraged to head into the store and turn their goodbye hugs into welcome back celebrations.