Retailers in Mosgiel have mixed views on what impact The Warehouse will have on business when it opens later this year.
The Warehouse national asset and development manager Fiona Shilton this week confirmed a new store would open in the old New World supermarket in Gordon Rd.
The store would be refurbished soon, but would not be expanded as it would become one of the chain's first "small format" stores.
An estimated opening date and staff numbers were still being worked out, she said.
While the confirmation had been welcomed by some, others were more apprehensive about its effect on their businesses.
Mosgiel Stationery and Art Supplies owner Barbara Mitchell was not in favour.
"I'm quite shattered because what they sell is my bread and butter."
She believed shoppers would not bother with the rest of the main street.
"In these times, it is a bit hard trying to make a dollar without more competition," she said.
Others knew there was nothing they could do to stop its arrival and were trying to take a positive view.
Mosgiel $2 & Gifts manager Pat Varga believed it would bring more people to Mosgiel.
Customers travelling from the Taieri area and Middlemarch might be more inclined to shop closer to home, she said.
Offens Book and Toys owner Lynne Flewitt was concerned at first but was trying to be optimistic.
"It's swings and roundabouts.
We can only hope that it brings more people into Mosgiel," she said.
Others were happy about the prospect of the new store.
Mitre 10 was "quite looking forward to it", manager Frank Smith said, adding the pros outweighed the cons.
"It will keep so many people shopping in Mosgiel rather than going over the hill."
Blackstone Cafe and Bar barista Philippa Mackay was excited about the store's arrival.
"At least something is going in there, because it has been empty for so long."
