The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal has ruled that The Standard Store's landlord must mediate with them, following a dispute over outstanding debts.
As reported by Ragtrader, last week the retailer's owner Nicola Reindorf came to open the store and found that the locks had been changed and she was ordered to vacate after she paid 70% of her rent that month.
The orders came after Reindorf had been asking to go to mediation to come to an agreement over the outstanding rent and other debts.
"As the dust settles on the week that was, my emotions turn to anger (there have been tears, fear, hysterical highs, and lots of lows)," she posted to the store's Facebook page.
"How dare my landlord destroy everything we have worked for over nine years in two days.
"At the start of this sorry story I requested mediation via the Small Business Commissioner.
"His lawyers refused now...the court has ordered him to mediate.
"Meanwhile our store sits empty and we are denied the income we rely on (especially as Melbourne remains closed).
"I hope no other small business has to go through this, and I really hope legislation will pass in NSW to protect us," she said.
Comments on the post support the business' efforts and suggest that this is not an isolated incident.
"Totally understand and empathise (as a small business owner with a lease)," a commenter posted.
"You were doing the right thing! We had to take our landlord to mediation in Melbourne to get him to comply with the law.
"We’ve always done the right thing and acted in good faith.
"I’m appalled by the lack of human decency and business sense. In a pandemic. Disgraceful.
"The government and legislation must step up to protect small business owners appropriately," the commenter said.
Ragtrader understands that The Standard Store will meet with its landlord for mediation next Monday 19 October.