Wodonga Safeway closure has been a big hit to foot traffic for businesses along the Acacia Carpark

Network Video Wodonga managing director Sam Allen fears foot traffic at Acacia Carpark would drop as a result of the closure of Safeway on the corner of High Street and Elgin Boulevard.

Mr Allen said he was excited for the upgrades, but concerned about what it could mean for trade. He said his business would need to fight the year out alongside Country Chicken Stop, Stanley Street Pizza and Pasta and Everything Dance.

“We are all committed to leases and have no option but to trade through this,” he said.

“Our shop has been here since 1989 and we've always had Safeway to help us out.

“This is the first time in 27 years we haven’t had that luxury.

“The message for customers is we are just local people trying to make a living.

“Supporting local business is very important, we sponsor footy and netball clubs and charity golf days.

“We are all employers as well, we have people relying on us for income.”

The wet weather and school holidays had helped with trading at the movie shop so far.

Mr Allen said, with children heading back to school, stores in the area were about to see the true extent of the Safeway's absence.

He joked with dinner and a movie all in the same spot – what more could you want?

“We aren’t complaining about the development, we just need people to bare with us,” he said.

“It will be great when everything re-opens, we just need to make it through the first 12 months.”

Stanley Street Pizza and Pasta opened at the site in January and has already had to cut back staff.

Owner Angelo Ferlauto said sales were down about 40 per cent since the supermarket's closure.

“It’s been a big kick in the guts and now locals are missing out on work,” he said.

“We do delivery, it's even free for orders over $20, but a lot of our trade was walk in because of the supermarket.

“We just need the community to support us ... it’s the hard bit now, we've taken a big hit.”