Second Leo’s Supermarket confirmed to close in weeks

Foodies have just three weeks to stock up at Leo’s supermarkets in Heidelberg and Kew, after both iconic locations, known for their gourmet food brands, confirmed they would close next month.

Last year, Leo’s announced trading would stop at the end of 2026, after the two sites were sold to separate developers. But on Sunday, Heidelberg Leo’s new owner, Banco Group, told The Age the store’s final day would be March 13. Leo’s had not made a public announcement but on Sunday, staff were informing customers that the end would come sooner than planned.

On Monday, managers of the much-loved Kew store on Princess Street also confirmed rumours fuelled by dwindling stock and patronage that the outlet would shut down on March 13, ahead of the Easter rush.

In response to questions, Leo’s Kew supermarket’s manager, Le-Max Group, said the store may re-open under new operators in the short term, but did not elaborate further.

Luke McKie, director of Orchard Piper, the new owner of the Kew Leo’s site, said they planned to build new shops on the site, including “well-known and much-loved high street retailers” alongside hospitality outlets and quality housing.

McKie said there would also be a premium produce outlet “comparable to Leo’s”.

Orchard Piper confirmed last year that billionaire James Packer would be an investor and joint-venture partner at the Kew site through his company NPACT.

Mario Lo Giudice, managing director of Banco Group, the owners of the Heidelberg Leo’s site, revealed his company was negotiating with independent operators to open a new supermarket there.

Banco also plans to create five new shops along Burgundy Street.

The earlier than anticipated closure of Leo’s Heidelberg supermarket saddened regular customers on Sunday.

On hearing news of the March 13 closure, customer of 16 years Sandra Andary, of Rosanna, said: “I’m devastated, like everybody else. It’s really unfair. The strip, the community needs this.

“It’s like a hub. A guy just said ‘hi’ to me, he met me during COVID and remembered my name. There’s a beautiful community that come together around Leo’s.”

She said Leo’s sold items that you can’t get elsewhere and she had favourite brands like Green Nation Life multipurpose cleaner, and Earth Taste Life Himalayan Pink Salt.

“I buy the frozen berries, I buy good quality meat from here and nice brands of bread and milk.”

Andary said since the closure was announced last year she had noticed customer numbers were down and she herself had shopped there less, feeling it was harder to stay attached to the place, knowing it was closing.

Lifelong Heidelberg resident and Leo’s fan since it opened in 2001 Gerald Sheahan said he was disappointed about the closure and having to shop at Coles now.

Another regular Steve Caddy, from Heidelberg, said, “I’m very sad about it closing.”

Caddy said while he gets staple groceries at Woolworths he gets “all the good stuff” at Leo’s, such as Sergio Valentino durum wheat semolina pasta, Irrewarra sourdough bread, and Ivan’s chunky Angus beef pies.

“The herbs like dill, thyme and tarragon are always fresher here, and they’re in bigger batches, than in other places.”

In addition, he said Leo’s had been a community hub. “There are always interesting people shopping here, there’s a more interesting vibe because there are unique foods, and everything’s a bit fresher.”

He said there were always old Italian songs playing on the sound system.

“It’s something that makes Heidelberg unique,” Caddy said.

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