Charlie Sung-Gin Jung, who has owned Galaxie Dairy in Mt Eden for 16 years, is closing up the shop after a horrific robbery last year. Video / Jason Oxenham
Jung, who owns and operates Galaxie Dairy on View Rd in Mt Eden, said they werebeing forced into early retirement because they no longer felt safe running their business.
Their last day of operation will be this Friday, July 19.
Jung, who moved to New Zealand 22 years ago from South Korea because it was “more peaceful and safer” said Galaxie Dairy had been a target of violentrobbers and thieves.
In the past two years, the business had been subjected to four violent robberies including a ram raid and a hammer attack, and shoplifting was an almost daily occurrence, Jung said.
He said the worst incident was in November when his wife was assaulted with a hammer during an aggravated robbery where police confirmed a “bladed weapon” was also used.
Charlie Sung-Gin Jung said crime was an almost daily occurrence at his dairy. Photo / Jason Oxenham
She was rushed to Auckland Hospital in a moderate condition following the incident, which was described by a St John spokesman as a “serious assault”.
“Crime happens at our shop every day, and we are very tired and scared,” Jung said.
“Every time someone unfamiliar walks into our store, we become scared that they might do something to us... we don’t want to live like that any more.”
He said thieves have smashed glass cabinets to steal things, and a ram-raid left half the store destroyed.
Jung said when they first moved from Seoul to Auckland, New Zealand was “very different”.
“Then it was really safe, and we decided this was a great place to live and raise our family,” he said.
At first, Jung and his wife had a cleaning business but bought the View Rd dairy when the opportunity arose.
Galaxie Dairy's last day of operation will be this Friday, July 19. Photo / Jason Oxenham
The couple has two daughters, one a 25-year-old who works as a pharmacist and the other a 22-year-old who is graduating from university this year.
“New Zealand is not the same after Covid-19... it has become too dangerous,” Jung said.
“More people have gone on drugs, and many now think that it is okay to steal and be violent to get what they want.”
Jung said people high on drugs or intoxicated regularly came into the store, shouting, smashing things and taking what they wanted without paying.
Charlie Sung-Gin Jung said he no longer felt safe at his dairy shop after a horrific robbery last year that landed his wife in hospital. Photo / Jason Oxenham
“When it comes to serious crime, we were hit four times, but for smaller crimes, that happens almost every day,” Jung said.
Diary and Business Owners Group chairman Sunny Kaushal. Photo / Dean Purcell
On the Mt Eden Community Noticeboard Facebook page, many expressed shock at the news of the dairy’s closure.
“I was devastated. I feel bad for them. I spoke to Charlie and he said it’s just too dangerous,” said Sarah Emily Heares.
Jane Brown said she “grew up in this dairy” and her parents had owned it for about 12 years before Jung and his wife took over.
“They will be turning in their graves at this news,” Brown said.
Last month, the Dairy and Business Owners Group wrote to the Commissioner of Police demanding greater protection, including having artificial intelligence-supported cameras to help track offenders.
