Kiama Downs IGA Liquor Store owner Trevor Fredericks has been forced to hire a security guard after the second robbery at the store in less than a week.
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Police were called to an armed robbery at the Johnson Street store about 4.15pm on Sunday, just five days after the premises were held up on Boxing Day.
In almost identical circumstances to the December 26 incident, an armed thief stormed into the liquor store and confronted staff with a shotgun.
It was the third setback in two weeks for store owners Trevor Fredericks and Carmel Goldsmith, whose historic Jamberoo IGA store was destroyed by fire on December 17.
Mr Fredericks spent yesterday at the Kiama Downs store and said he was now concentrating on supporting his loyal team.
"We're certainly trying to keep staff morale up at the moment, we're obviously concerned for all of our staff," he said.
"They're just the greatest group of people, everyone's just banded together."
Mr Fredericks said he was extremely proud of all the staff, particularly the three men who found themselves at the end of the robber's gun barrel during the two attacks.
"They've been through something you wouldn't wish on anyone," he said.
Although the year ended on a low, Mr Fredericks said 2012 had not been completely terrible.
"It was quite a good year up until two weeks ago," he said.
"I just think these situations can happen unfortunately and we're working through them as best we can.
"We're just concerned that this person could attack again and it may not be us. I suppose everyone has to be diligent at the moment with this sort of thing going on."
Although security at the store was already tight, Mr Fredericks has now brought in a security guard.
During the Boxing Day robbery a man described as over 40, 180 centimetres tall, of thin build and Caucasian with a tan, held up a male employee at gunpoint.
Sunday's offender carried the same description.
Mr Fredericks urged anyone with information, to contact Lake Illawarra police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.