Hundreds of shoppers flocked to the city outlet to snare a bargain from the once prominent Tasmanian discount store chain, including Invermay's Marchel family.

Leanne and Tom Marchel said it was disappointing that entrepreneur Jan Cameron's Retail Adventures is closing Chickenfeed stores down.

"We used to buy a lot of personals, cleaning products, snacks for the kids and now there is nowhere else to go," Mrs Marchel said.

"It is not only disappointing, because things are cheap, but because it was once a thriving Tasmanian business."

Vos Construction and Joinery, who own the Prospect Marketplace, used security guards to reclaim the complex's store after seeking legal advice, because Retail Adventures failed to pay a "considerable amount" of rent.

More than 15 Tasmanian Chickenfeed outlets have or will be closed down from today - costing about 150 people their jobs.

In the North, Launceston, Mowbray, Prospect, Kings Meadows, George Town and Devonport are among those shut down.

Retail Adventures public relations officer Grant Vandenberg said he could not comment on the closures or failure to pay rent.