After trading for a year, Artful Pantry on Terralong Street is closing and will move most of its favourite products to the Collective Beat Kiama.

Sheree Bailey, the owner of the Artful Pantry and the Collective Beat, said the high rent was the business's biggest challenge.

“We absolutely love the store but sadly high rents in Kiama just aren't sustainable for some small businesses,” said Ms Bailey.

“The limited foot traffic however at that end of the Terralong street and the building's unattractive and worn-out appearance, added to our difficulties,” she said.

“Over the past year, we sought assistance from the landlord multiple times and proposed various changes, including the addition of a coeliac-safe bakery and gluten free patisserie—a unique offering we believe the town needs,” she said.

“However, the landlord was unwilling to collaborate or consider any of our requests, including a rent reduction. Regrettably, we are left with no choice but to close down that shop and move out the business.”

The Artful Pantry stocked Australian and local foods not normally found at Woolworths.

The store created a strong gluten free community and it will stock most of those products in the Collective Beat Kiama and the Collective Beat Berry.

Sheree Bailey opened Artful Pantry in June last year and introduced locals to Australian-made artisan produce.

Ms Bailey stocked fresh coeliac baked bread from Shellharbour’s Sans Gluten, Kangaroo Valley Olives, Pebbly Path rocky road from Mudgee and, within the gourmet deli fridge, Tilba Cheese, Sydney’s Salame Casareccio and more.

Ms Bailey has grown the Collective Beat to four stores in Kiama, Berry, Gerringong and Huskisson.