Discussions between JB Hi-Fi and Orana Mall have been going on for almost seven years and on Thursday the retailer’s place in Dubbo became a reality.
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Dubbo City Council had worked with JB Hi-Fi to try and find a suitable location, while Orana Mall had also courted the electrical giant.
However it was the demise of Bernardi’s IGA and the vacancy of the 1500-square-metre shop at the Mall that made it possible.
Former Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson was given the honour of cutting the ribbon for the opening, because of the role he played in bringing JB Hi-Fi to the city.
“Bruce Sinclair [JB Hi-Fi group property manager] was the man I spoke to often at JB and I did hear feedback through other sources that he used to expect a phone call from me on a regular basis, and was almost disappointed if he didn’t get one from me on a regular basis, to see how they were going,” Mr Dickerson said.
“They have been very keen to come to Dubbo for a long time, there is no doubt about that.
“The economy stacked up, the drawing population for JB in Dubbo stacked up and really the only sticking point was trying to find a location.”
Steve Gooley, the regional manager of Bachrach Naumburger, who own Orana Mall, said it was always just a matter of finding the right space for the retailer.
“It would be about six or seven years ago we made initial contact with JB Hi-Fi and know a lot of other people in Dubbo were trying to get them in as well.
“When the space became available they were quite keen and the deal came together quite quick.”
Mr Dickerson said JB Hi-Fi had a set idea of what they needed from a storefront and was pleased they had been able to find one.
“We [council] spent a lot of time with them trying to find the right location and they had a range of ideas about what they wanted,” he said.
“They have a lot of experience, this is store number 215, and you don’t open 215 stores without knowing what you want in a location.”
Real Estate Institute of NSW Orana Division acting chairman Bob Berry said the store would be effective in drawing shoppers to Dubbo.
“It’s another win for Dubbo in attracting national traders to the city. It’s another reason for people to come here,” he said.