Dunedin police are investigating the attempted robbery - the fourth instance where a "skinny" male caucasian has demanded money from shopkeepers around the city in the past week.
The 10 O'Clock Dairy shopkeeper Ge Song said a man walked into the store and pulled a knife on him.
"One guy walk in; taken knife out and he want money," Mr Song said.
There had been another attempted robbery in the area recently, at the Stadium Store in Victoria St.
"I don't give him no money," Mr Song said.
Senior Sergeant Craig Brown said the man had been chased off the premises after he allegedly presented a knife and demanded money about 9.20pm.
Police were investigating whether the man, "a male caucasian of skinny build and dressed in dark clothing", was linked to other recent incidents around Dunedin, Snr Sgt Brown said.
Police had cordoned off the area.
The BP service station in Mornington and the Green Island Post and Paper were robbed last week.
A man had also demanded cash from a shop worker at the Stadium Store, but had walked out when he was refused money, last Monday evening.
The offenders in these cases have been described by police as thin caucasians, wearing dark glasses, hoodies, and jeans.
