Footscray’s Sims Supermarket sold to supermarket stalwarts Paul and Brendan Schroeder after six months in administration

FOOTSCRAY’S popular Sims Supermarket has new owners who plan to begin immediate renovations on the store, six months after the troubled business went into administration.

Supermarket stalwarts Paul and Brendan Schroeder, who own a number of grocery stores across Melbourne, finalised the sale of the store yesterday and announced all staff members will keep their jobs.

Insolvency firm Rodgers Reidy was called in by creditors in May to take over administration of the business, which had racked up large debts with suppliers.

Paul Schroeder said he and his brother — who have a combined 40 years’ experience in the supermarket industry — were “excited” to finally settle the sale.

“It’s a store that just needs some love, and we’re going to give it just that,” he said.

“Everyone has still got their job, anyone who shops in here is going to like it even more and people who used to shop here will hopefully come back.”

Paul Schroeder said he and his brother were meeting with their architect this Thursday to discuss renovation plans.

“We’ll be renovating pretty much straight away once we’ve gone over the new plans this week,” he said.

“We are going to continue to trade through the renovations.”

Rodgers Reidy director Shane Cremin said the sale to the Schroeders was an “excellent result for the employees and the local community”.

“It’s in the safest hands possible, because they’ve been very thorough and they’ve got a great track record,” Mr Cremin said.