A piece of Wombarra history will go under the hammer next month.
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The property at 562-564 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Wombarra is on the market for the first time in 70 years.
Formerly Wombarra's local butcher and grocer, the property is being offered for the first time since 1949.
The buyer will acquire a 1537sqm parcel of land with a 37.6m street frontage.
The near level block currently features two original dwellings - a residence and a shopfront.
The property has been in the Brunskill family for 70 years.
Di Ridley grew up at the property.
Her parents George and Margaret relocated from the Hunter Valley to the Illawarra.
They bought the property and existing butcher/grocer business at the site.
They operated the business there from 1949 to the mid-60s.
"Dad had a bad accident when he was delivering meat, and he ended up closing the shop," Mrs Ridley said.
"But the small shops in the northern suburbs like Coledale, Wombarra and Scarborough closed when the supermarkets opened up, like Fleming's at Thirroul.
"That was really the end of the small shops."
After the business was closed down, the shopfront was leased to other butchers for a short period.
"But that didn't last long, basically because of the competition from the supermarkets," Mrs Ridley said.
Therefore, the shopfront has remained empty for several decades.
Meanwhile, the Brunskills continued to live in the residence.
Mr Brunskill died 30 years ago, while Mrs Brunskill died recently, which led to Mrs Ridley and her siblings inheriting the property.
"It's a piece of Wombarra history - there's not many of the originals left there," Mrs Ridley told the Mercury.
"It's sad to see it go.
"It's been in the family for a long time, but as things go, it has to be sold basically. It's a sign of the times really."
The property will be auctioned on November 16.
There is currently no price guide available.
The selling agent is Vanessa Denison-Pender, principal of One Agency Downie Denison-Pender.
"This spectacular block easily lends itself to a range of development opportunities including townhouses, duplex construction and subdivision, subject to Wollongong council approval," she said.
"The highlight of this outstanding offering is its incredible, almost beachfront location, directly opposite Reef Avenue and Wombarra beach and rock pool."