Lamia Super Deli will close permanently on August 3, 2026, ending 54 years of trade in Marrickville. Owners Harry and Jim Cotsinis said rising operating expenses, higher import prices and the challenges of recent years had made it increasingly difficult for the family business to continue.
The closure affects more than regular shoppers. Since opening in 1972, Lamia has become a cultural meeting place for Sydney’s Greek community and one of Marrickville Road’s best-known independent food stores.
When will Lamia Super Deli close?
The deli will close for the final time on Monday, August 3, 2026. It operates at 270 Marrickville Road, Marrickville, NSW.
Customers planning a final visit should confirm opening hours directly with the store. Popular products may sell out during its remaining days.
No relocation, online-only business, new owner or reopening at another address has been announced. There is also no confirmed information about what will replace the deli.
Why is Lamia Super Deli closing?
The Cotsinis family said the decision was driven by rising business costs, increasingly expensive imports and the cumulative difficulties of recent years.
Independent food retailers face costs across their supply chains. Imported goods can become more expensive because of supplier prices, freight charges, currency movements and local distribution expenses. Stores must also cover rent, electricity, insurance, wages and regulatory obligations.
A family-run deli has less purchasing power than a supermarket chain. Passing every increase on to shoppers can reduce demand, while absorbing the costs places further pressure on already narrow retail margins.
What did Lamia Super Deli sell?
Lamia built a loyal customer base by offering familiar Mediterranean staples and products that can be difficult to find in mainstream supermarkets. Its range included:
- Dolmades and prepared Greek foods
- Feta and Mediterranean dairy products
- Fresh moussaka
- Lamb drippings
- Tinned flying squid and imported seafood
- Specialist ingredients used in traditional recipes
For many customers, these products provided a connection to Greece and to recipes passed through their families.
How has the community reacted?
The closure announcement prompted an emotional response from customers. Some recalled visiting Lamia with parents and grandparents, while others thanked the family for providing a familiar taste of home to Greeks living in Sydney.
Supporters described the news as the end of an era for Marrickville Road. The owners said the deli had been their second home and thanked every customer, whether they visited daily, weekly or only occasionally.
What have the owners said about taxes?
Jim Cotsinis has separately criticised the Albanese government’s tax policies, arguing that they can reduce the incentive for owners to spend more years building a business they may eventually sell.
He said small-business operators were being squeezed from several directions. However, the family’s closure announcement did not attribute the decision to one tax or policy. It cited a combination of operating costs, import prices and prolonged business pressures.
Are other local businesses under pressure?
Nearby cafe and hospitality operators are reportedly dealing with staff shortages, reduced foot traffic and rising expenses. Some are considering relocating or closing permanently.
When an established store disappears, a shopping street can lose some of the foot traffic that supports neighbouring businesses. Access to services is another challenge, particularly for retailers that accept cash. The proposed $400 million plan for Australia’s cash-distribution network highlights pressures extending beyond immediate shopfront expenses.
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How widespread are rising business costs?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported in June 2026 that 46% of surveyed businesses experienced higher operating expenses during the previous four weeks.
Among affected businesses, 65% identified overheads, 56% cited freight or delivery costs, 47% pointed to goods and materials, and 40% reported staffing expenses. Accommodation and food services was among the most affected industries, with 55% reporting higher costs.
QUT marketing expert Professor Gary Mortimer said small businesses face increases in rent, insurance, utilities, logistics, supplies and wages. They can also be affected when household financial pressures reduce local spending. Concerns about mortgage offset account errors affecting Australian customers demonstrate how unexpected financial problems can further constrain household budgets.
Mortimer said governments should make it easier and more cost-effective for businesses to trade. He also urged shoppers who value independent high-street businesses to continue supporting them.
What happens after August 3?
The Cotsinis family has not announced another venture or future plans for the Lamia name. Unless a new arrangement is revealed, August 3 will end a business that began in 1972.
Its closure removes a specialist food destination and a place connected to the memories of generations of Greek-Australian customers. It also leaves an unanswered question about whether another independent operator can afford to take over the Marrickville Road premises.
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