Convenience store temporarily takes up historic Darrell Lea space on Sydney’s George Street

The iconic Darrell Lea Chocolate shop on the corner of George Street and King Street in the Sydney CBD has been leased on a short-term basis by a City Convenience Store.

The store, which forms part of what was once the Belfields Hotel (dating back to at least 1910) was bought by Darrell Lea in 1957 and was the flagship store for 55 years.

City Convenience Stores were started by Lebanese immigrant Jamal Gebara in 1996 and according to its website, now operates 180 such stores across Australia.

The convenience store is occupying the site on a rolling month-by-month basis while a longer-term tenant is sought for both the former chocolate shop premises and a second shop, which is leased to fashion accessories chain Diva.

Telstra has a store two down from Darrell Lea, and Property Observer understands it has sub-leased the neighbouring store to Diva in a defensive move to prevent another telco company from leasing space next to it.

The mezzanine level of the building is currently rented to a photography store.

According to industry sources, the combined 100 square metre space leased currently by City Convenience and Diva is being marketed as one space with a long-term leasing deal imminent.

The distinctive cream corner building is covered with Darrell Lea insignia and ornamental decorative mouldings and gables.

It is owned by the Darrel Lea family but is not subject to the recent collapse of the confectionery business.

Darrell Lea collapsed earlier this year and was sold to the Quinn family in September. All the remaining Darrell Lea stores ceased trading on September 9.