New investment in Devon Plaza

by JAMES POYNER
24th August 2026

A CROWD gathered at Devon Plaza on August 1 as Doncaster Pharmacy officially opened under its new franchise, ChemMax.
The Doncaster East store is the fourth ChemMax to open this year, joining its sister stores in Prahan, Pinewood, and Keilor East.
There has been a chemist at Devon Plaza since the early 1980s.
ChemMax Doncaster East owner Shaz Shirkhanzadeh took over ownership of the Doncaster Pharmacy from Jeff Yarrow in October 2025, before beginning the process of converting it into a ChemMax.
Shaz told M&N Bulletin that after graduating as a Pharmacist from Monash University in 2023, she suddenly found herself of being able to realise a dream of becoming a pharmacy owner.

“With the support of ChemMax, I was able to own my first pharmacy by age 25.
That was the best support I could get from the ChemMax office; it would not have been possible without them.”

Members from all levels of Government turned out to the ChemMax launch to celebrate the new chapter for the Doncaster East pharmacy and new energy in Devon Plaza.
“It’s exciting to be at the opening of ChemMax in Devon Plaza,” said Member for Warrandyte, Nicole Werner MP.

“My office is actually just around the corner, so we often come to this shopping area.
There’s a number of shopping strips along this way, so to be able to bring more people into Devon Plaza is great, and it’s always great to support small business.”

Devon Plaza was in the news in late December following the sale of the site currently occupied by Woolworths.
The supermarket was eventually purchased from the landlord, Suleman Group, for $16.35 million in a receivership sale.
According to realestatesource.com.au, the new landlord — Woolworths Group — will maintain it as a Woolworths supermarket until 2036.
After that, there is speculation it will be redeveloped as a multi-level mixed-use site with a supermarket on the ground level.
Something which would be in line with other mixed-use developments along Doncaster Road, and which realestatesource.com.au says is in line with behaviour previously exhibited by Woolworths Group.
Unlike other shopping centres along Doncaster Road, Devon Plaza is privately managed.
Manningham’s Deputy Mayor, Deirdre Diamante, also spoke with M&N Bulletin.

“It’s a really exciting opportunity for Devon Plaza to have this investment in the area.
I’m hoping it brings other businesses into the area because it can look a bit tired, and we need that to lift up all the other shops.
So, it’s an exciting opportunity.”

Shaz said that, as well as the services customers have come to expect from their local pharmacy, she is currently undertaking training through the Chemist Care Now program and hopes to be able to offer those specialised services early next year.
To customers, new and existing, Shaz says:

“Everything’s the same, the same friendly team.
We are trying our best to reduce our pricing but give the same good service you expect.”

 

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