Wonthaggi Electronics to close after decades

Wonthaggi Electronics will close its doors next month, bringing an end to a family business story stretching back more than three decades.

Managing director Linda Langloys decided it was time to close the Murray Street shop when its lease came up, rather than commit to another three years amid a retail market that is only becoming increasingly uncertain.

The final trading date is expected to fall around mid-to-late October, depending on how quickly the stock sells.

The business began as security company, Raneye, around 1990 after Linda’s father, Ross Langloys, repeatedly had his wrecking yard broken into.

Known locally as “Ross the Wrecker”, he joined Mick Cannata and one other local worker to establish the security operation, starting out running it from home.

“He was a larger-than-life type of person,” Linda said.

“He was like an entrepreneur. He was always doing something, and he was very smart. The smartest guy that I ever knew.”

Around the year 2000, the business moved into 61 McBride Avenue.

Its expansion into electronics came from a single problem: the security business couldn’t buy resistors for alarm panels in Wonthaggi.

The store initially operated as a Dick Smith agent before being approached to become a Jaycar reseller.

In 2014, the electronics arm moved into the current shop at 9 Murray Street separating it from the security operation.

Linda first became involved in the business in 2002, and brought both operations together at Murray Street after Ross passed away in 2018. Raneye was sold last year.

But retail became tougher.

Manager Rod Lyttle, who’s worked at the store for nine years, said online shopping accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic and contributed to a noticeable decline in trade.

The shop had previously designed and sold several solar systems for caravans and buses each week. But as online shopping took hold after COVID and interest rates rose, that demand suddenly dried up.

“It was like someone slammed the door,” Mr Lyttle said.

The store once employed up to six people but is now operated by just Linda and Rod, with one other employee completing antenna work on a casual basis.

The store has loyal customers who still travel from across the region, including places like Korumburra, Phillip Island, Lang Lang and Foster.

And many rely on more than the products.

Mr Lyttle said older customers regularly come in and bring items seeking help, whether it’s needing assistance with something as simple as replacing batteries in a clock radio.

“That’s the big thing that the town is going to miss,” he said.

Linda wished to thank all the customers who have supported the family business over the past several decades.

“We’ve made so many friends over that time from customers who have come into the shop,” she said.

Once the doors close, Linda expects to semi-retire.

Rod’s plan is simpler.

“I’m going fishing,” he said with a laugh.