A variety store employee suffered a nightmarish hold-up on Thursday after two men brandishing a stick burst into the store and demanded cash.

Police were called to RJ's Variety Shop (The Feeding Tree) on North Shore Road shortly before 3 p.m. on Thursday. The victim told them two men came into the shop wearing masks, and stole an undisclosed amount of cash from the till.

The pair then fled on a black motorcycle. It is understood that the shop closed shortly afterwards for the day, and that the employee called in sick yesterday.

Another store employee told The Royal Gazette that the Feeding Tree struggles in the winter months without business from visitors.

The robbery made her feel sorry for the owner, she said, lambasting those who "took his hard-working money". A manager declined to speak with this newspaper last night.

One of the thieves, the passenger on the motorcycle, was described as an "unkempt looking black male, wearing a grey track suit with a large Afro".

Inquiries into the incident are underway. Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with any information to contact D.C. Swainson on 295-0011.