Both the Stawell and Ararat stores are for sale as owner and operator of the business Janita Perry looks to change direction in her life.

"We have had a change of family circumstances and initially I was just going to list the Ararat store (for sale), but given I have done this for 20 years, and we thought we would put them both out there," she said.

"There is a bit of movement with a tree-change as people move out of the city and so we thought it would be a good time to put it out there and see if there was somebody wanting to take over and run it as we have.

"It has been a terrific business for three generations, but I don't have anyone coming along behind me to take it on, so we are putting it out to the universe to see if somebody wants it."

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The Perry's Footwear store has been a stalwart of the Stawell Main Street since it first opened in 1970, with the Ararat store also opening seven years ago.

Ms Perry said the business had survived the challenges of 2020 by opening an online store which has helped keep the business strong, but now she was hoping someone would be willing to step in and continue to run the business.

"I am hoping someone will come along and will want to run it as we have because it has been a very successful business and it still is," she said.

"For the town's sake, I hope it remains a footwear store because we need it and it is a very busy store.

"It is just a change in circumstances for us, and I have done it for 20 years and is time for me to back away a little bit and get some new blood into the business, which is always good too.

"It would be lovely if a new family came along and started a new legacy, but I will see what happens.

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"I would be elated if someone came and put all the staff on, and to be honest, they would be mad if they didn't.

"Barb has been selling shoes in her life for nearly 40 years and she has got all the experience in the world and it would be lovely if a new owner came along and kept them all on."

Ms Perry said she was sad to put the business up for sale and she wasn't sure what would come next in her life.

"I'd like to thank the community for the support they have given us and the three generations of Perry's through this business," she said.

"We have been supported and you can't put a value on that.

"I am sad that it does have to come to an end, but there are no more generations coming along and we are at the end of the road, but that happens with all family businesses, they can't go forever."

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