The Australian luxury department store chain David Jones has delivered an unexpected blow to its customers, confirming the permanent closure of two of its popular stores. Both the Castle Hill location in Sydney and the Tuggerah store on the Central Coast will shut their doors for good in the New Year of 2026, ending more than thirty years of trading in their respective communities.
End of an Era for Two Community Stores
Shoppers at the Castle Towers shopping centre in Sydney were the first to learn the sad news, discovering a sign announcing the impending closure. The sign confirmed the Castle Hill store will cease trading on Sunday, January 18, 2026, after an impressive 34-year run. The message expressed gratitude, stating: "The team would like to thank all our wonderful customers for your support."
Approximately 90 kilometres north, the Tuggerah store delivered a similar message, confirming it will close just a few days earlier on January 12, 2026. This outlet has also served its local area for three decades. David Jones has directed affected customers to other nearby stores, including Parramatta, Macquarie Centre, Hornsby, and the recently refurbished Chatswood Chase location for Castle Hill shoppers, and Kotara, Green Hills, and Hornsby for those near Tuggerah.
Wave of Nostalgia and Disappointment from Loyal Customers
The announcement has sparked a significant emotional response on social media, with many long-term patrons sharing their memories and disappointment. One customer remarked on the changing retail landscape, saying, "I've been going there since it opened. Demographics and shopping habits have changed a lot in the last 34 years."
Another shared a deeply personal connection to the Castle Hill store: "So very sad, I've been going there for as long as it has been open. With my parents every Saturday as a child, to shopping with my own babies. The cafe was my favourite, I have so many memories there." Sentiments echoed a common theme of loss, with comments like "The most beautiful store at Castle Towers. Such a sad demise" and "Disappointing, it will be missed."
Former and current employees, as well as suppliers, also joined the conversation, fondly recalling their time associated with the stores. One ex-staff member from Tuggerah called it a workplace with "such beautiful staff," while a supplier noted the professional and friendly team at Castle Hill where their product sold well.
Analysing the Reasons Behind the Closures
While the official statements focused on thanking the community, some customers offered their own theories for the department store closures. Several pointed to broader challenges facing traditional brick-and-mortar retail. One comment highlighted competitive pressures: "Their prices are not competitive most of the time... Times are tough and a lot of these companies are fading away."
Others cited the dual threat of online shopping and fast-fashion retailers. "It's a shame more and more shops close, as more people shop online," one shopper said, lamenting the loss of the ability to try items before purchasing. Another simply stated, "Such a shame... So sad all the good old stores are closing in favour of the cheaper shops now."
Despite these two closures, David Jones continues to operate a network of around 40 stores across Australia. The company has encouraged customers from the closing locations to either visit their other stores or continue shopping via their online platform, which offers the full range of fashion, beauty, and homewares brands.
