Mowbray Pizza Hut manager Emma Gower was confronted by a man who walked into the store wielding a knife on Saturday in broad daylight. 

The man demanded the lone staff member fill a bag with money as he waved a knife about.

 ``He was getting closer and closer with the knife,'' she said. 

``Once I put most of the money in the bag he then took off down the road.''

Ms Gower said she panicked and thought the offender might do something with the knife as she was initially unable to open the till. 

Compounding her fear was the man's use of what she described as a home-made balaclava.

The man managed to flee with several hundred dollars. 

On returning to work Ms Gower said the incident was still on her mind. 

``When the door buzzer goes off I just freak out a bit, but you just have do it don't you,'' she said.

Ms Gower described the man as being aged around his 40s.

The store owner, who asked not to be named, said it was frustrating the store had been robbed four times over the past year. 

Last October two people walked in brandishing a replica firearm and targeted one of the store's customers.

The owner said a charity tin on the front counter had also been stolen and earlier this month their driver was allegedly attacked and hit over the head with a weapon as he made a delivery. 

Saturday's armed robbery happened about 4pm.

The assailant was last seen running in Pleasant Street, Mowbray, towards Target.

The offender is described as caucasian, 180cm (5ft 11), of medium build, wearing a grey hooded jumper with a distinct logo, grey trousers and a dark coloured cap. He was also carrying a green supermarket bag.

No injuries were sustained during the robbery.

Launceston Criminal Investigation Branch is appealing for any further information regarding the robbery, anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Launceston CIB on 6336 3915.