Could this be the most shortlived retail outlet in the history of Australian shopping?

A string of rugby league players from the Penrith Panthers – along with radio station Triple M's Rock Patrol – were part of the hoopla at the grand opening of the Masters hardware outlet in Penrith in Sydney's outer west on January 16.

But just two days later the entire chain was put to the sword by corporate owner Woolworths, angering community leaders in Sydney's west.

Leaving the Penrith store with the unwanted prospect of being open for one of the shortest times on record in Australian retail is galling.