The owner of a beloved Newcastle vintage store has made the heartbreaking decision to close her doors, citing an intolerable level of crime and antisocial behaviour that has made her feel unsafe in her own shop.
A final straw after years of struggle
Tori Kessing, proprietor of The Retro Wardrobe on Beaumont Street in Hamilton, will shut her business for good next week after four years of trading. Her decision follows a dramatic escalation in incidents, including three attempted break-ins in just the past month and a spate of vandalism that saw seven shops in a row have their front windows smashed on New Year's Eve.
Ms Kessing described the move as one of the hardest she has ever had to make, driven not only by a shift to online shopping but critically by the deteriorating "state" of the iconic street. She reported that a day did not go by without some kind of incident, severely impacting trade and morale.
Trade never recovered from tragic stabbing
The situation reached a tipping point after the fatal stabbing of 22-year-old James Callahan on Beaumont Street on November 17 last year. Ms Kessing revealed that following that tragedy, businesses on the strip experienced their worst month of trade "in history," and the area has struggled to recover its former vitality ever since.
"Customers would ask me to ship items to them just to avoid having to come to Beaumont Street," Ms Kessing said, highlighting the depth of the perception problem. She expressed a profound sense of irony, noting that despite having a career in forensic mental health, she feels safer working with highly vulnerable individuals than she does running her retail store.
"Light needs to be shone upon this, people need to start talking about this and radical change needs to happen," she urged. "Unless meaningful change is implemented, there will be very few independent businesses left on this street at all."
Calls for action and a complex challenge
The plight of Beaumont Street is not new, with residents and business owners having documented issues for months, including abuse, and the presence of used needles, vomit, and human excrement in public spaces. The problems represent a complex intersection of crime, homelessness, and public safety.
Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes emphasised the critical need for immediate and positive steps to address both the reality and the perception of an unfriendly environment. "It is disappointing that in these situations businesses have to make the tough decision to close," he stated.
In response to growing concerns, City of Newcastle councillors unanimously voted in December to support a Hamilton Community Safety Audit. This will lead to a coordinated plan involving policing, public space design, community services, lighting, and economic support. Simultaneously, Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp launched a petition calling for the installation of CCTV on Beaumont Street to improve public safety.
The challenge extends beyond shopfronts. A Bibby Street resident, who wished to remain anonymous, voiced frustration over a makeshift camp established in the area, claiming concerns had been ignored by both council and police, leaving locals feeling unsafe at night.
A City of Newcastle spokesman clarified that local councils lack the regulatory power to move on people sleeping rough, a responsibility that falls to police. The council stated it works with state agencies like the Assertive Outreach team, which engages with homeless individuals to offer temporary accommodation support.
A NSW Police spokesman reiterated that being homeless is not a crime, and officers balance the rights of individuals with public safety, acting only when there is a threat to security or a breach of the peace. They encouraged the community to report antisocial or illegal behaviour to the Police Assistance Line on 131 444, or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.
As The Retro Wardrobe prepares to close, Ms Kessing thanked her loyal customers and expressed hope to reopen in a new location one day when the time is right. Her departure marks a significant loss for the character of Beaumont Street and underscores the urgent need for the community-wide solutions now being pursued.
