Fitzroy North’s iconic Piedimonte’s grocer could be sold to a major supermarket chain after the council voted against the sale of a public laneway, which the Piedimonte family says was crucial to their redevelopment plans.

Five of six present Yarra City councillors voted against council officer recommendations to sell a bluestone laneway behind the beloved independent supermarket. The sale was supposed to pave the way for the demolition of the site and a rebuild of a new supermarket with residential apartments on top.

Although the mooted multi-storey redevelopment already received planning permission at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) four years ago, the plan was contingent on the sale of a rear laneway from the Yarra council to proceed.

Sam Piedimonte told T

See Full Page