Counting the days to Myer rebirth

MURRAY St businesses are counting down the days until stage two of the Myer redevelopment opens.

Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics is next door to the soon-to-be-opened Myer Murray St entrance.

Ongoing works on the Myer site have limited pedestrian access to Lush, which is on the Cat and Fiddle side of Murray St. Some shoppers have to do a roundabout route to get there.

Lush instore trainer Lili Pearson said the business had a “lovely, loyal” customer base but the works had interrupted the flow of customers into the store.

“We are really excited that things will return to normal and our foot traffic will pick up,” she said.

Also excited about the expansion is Cat and Fiddle Arcade senior asset manager Greg Radin.

“It’s good for everyone in-- cluding us,” he said.

“We all benefit as retail strengthens in the city.”

Mr Radin said the Myer opening comes just prior to the H & M opening at Cat and Fiddle on May 5 while Harris Scarfe was scheduled to reopen in early June.

About 60 contractors are working hard to fit out the Myer Murray St development before it opens on April 19.

Hobart Myer store manager Peter Monachetti said mens- wear, lingerie and travel goods would take up most of the second floor and childrenswear would move from the basement to the third floor.

“The cosmetic section will remain the same,” he said.

Up to 30 new staff members would join the 250-plus Myer staff next month.

Myer will have a soft opening on Thursday, April 19, before a 12-hour trading day on Friday, April 20.