An iconic Sydney eatery has slammed the government’s tax policies after being forced to close following more than half a century of bustling trade. Lamia Super Deli has been a Marrickville staple for 54 years, after first opening its doors back in 1972.Since then, it has built a loyal customer base, with Sydneysiders flocking to the store to stock up on popular Mediterranean classics like dolmades, feta cheese and fresh moussaka as well as more unusual treats like lamb drippings and tinned flying squid.But the deli will shut for the final time on August 3, with years of brutal rising costs finally taking a toll on the store’s bottom line.In an emotional Instagram post announcing the closure, father and son duo Harry and Jim Cotsinis wrote that it “hasn’t been an easy decision”.“After decades of serving this incredible community, the time has come for us to say goodbye. On 3 August, Lamia Super Deli will close its doors for the final time,” the post reads.“This hasn’t been an easy decision. Like so many small family businesses, the rising cost of doing business, increasing import prices, and the challenges of the last few years have made it harder and harder to keep going.“For our family, this deli has never just been a business. It’s been our second home.“To every single customer who chose to shop with us, thank you. Whether you came in every day, every week, or only occasionally, your support has meant the world to our family. You gave us the opportunity to do what we loved for so many years, and we will never take that for granted.”The closure of the deli, dubbed the “heart and soul” of Marrickville Road, has sparked an outpouring of grief among locals.“The end of an era. Very sad. Wishing you a wonderful next chapter,” one shattered customer wrote, while another added they were “quite literally crying” over the news.“I have so many memories with my father and my yia yia in Lamia. You will always have a special place in my heart,” they posted, with another saying their “heart is broken”.“Thank you for all your service, and providing a slice of home for us Greeks here in Sydney.”Meanwhile, Jim Cotsinis has publicly slammed the Albanese government’s tax policies, recently arguing they removed the incentive for small businesses hoping to one day sell.“I look at it and think, if I spend another five years here, then I don’t go on holidays and then when I do decide to sell it, the government takes more of my profit,” he told the Greek City Times, adding small business owners were “being squeezed in every direction”.Nearby cafe and hospitality operators said they’re battling staff shortages, reduced footfall and rising costs, according to the publication. Others are considering relocation or permanent closure.‘Everything is going up’Queensland University of Technology (QUT) marketing expert Professor Gary Mortimer said Lamia’s struggle is reflective of the wider pressures small businesses are facing in Australia today.“It’s not just the bureaucracy and the red tape that small businesses are facing, there’s also other things like payroll tax and the state of the economy. Small businesses are facing the same economic pressures that families are facing. The rents go up, insurance goes up, the utilities go up,” he told news.com.au.“On top of that, they’ve got the cost of things they need to deal with like logistics, supply costs and wages as well.”Dr Mortimer said the government should be doing more to make it easier and more cost-effective for businesses to trade, while shoppers should think twice about where they shop.“If you want a viable small business sector to operate on high streets, you need to visit and shop there,” he said.Lamia Super Deli has been approached for comment.Read related topics:Sydney