By CASEY NEILL
A HALAL butcher is set to spend the next decade in central Dandenong.
Marmara Halal Meats has leased the 141-145 Lonsdale Street site for 10 years with the option of a further 10 years.
It will refurbish the former IGA supermarket and open its doors in the coming months.
The butcher has traded for almost 20 years, most recently at Dandenong Market, and also offers grocery and other supermarket product lines.
Fitzroys executive Adam Lester negotiated the deal and said the long lease showed growing confidence in Dandenong’s retailing from local and national businesses.
Fitzroys acted for the City of Dandenong in leasing the retail space at the Dandenong Civic Square, where three shops are still available.
Mr Lester said the city was also consolidating its position as a food hub.
“The Afghan and Indian traders in secondary retail strips such as Thomas Street are now generating business from well beyond Dandenong’s traditional retail catchment,” he said.
“This new retailing is focused on shops with street frontage and exposure rather than in undercover shopping centre locations, and is quickly growing Dandenong’s reputation for high quality food offerings through a variety of cuisines.”
