Harris Farm Markets sign on for fourth Queensland store at $450m Aviary Toowong

A grocery chain with a cult following will open its fourth store in Queensland, employing 80 new workers. See what it plans to do.

A growing family-owned grocery chain has secured prime position in a $450m mixed used development in Brisbane’s inner west.

Harris Farm Markets has a long-term lease on a 2750sq m tenancy on the Sherwood Rd level in the State Development Corporation and White & Partners Aviary Toowong project which should start construction next year.

Harris Farm Markets’ co-chief executive Luke Harris, who is one of three Harris brothers that run the NSW-based business, said it will be their fourth store in Queensland after Clayfield and West End in Brisbane with their store in the Isle of Capri on the Gold Coast to open this month.

“The store at Aviary Toowong will allow us to showcase more local flavours, and being a new build, will also allow us to design and create a store of the future — purpose-built to celebrate edible goodness, which is what we have been doing as a business for almost 50 years,” he said.

Mr Harris said they already employ more than 300 Queenslanders and the store at Aviary Toowong will employ 80 more.

An artist’s impression of Aviary Toowong which will be a completely new urban community precinct including residential, retail, hospitality, office and shared outdoor spaces alongside an entirely new streetscape.

Aviary Toowong will be a highly-curated mix of retail, hospitality, well-being and entertainment options for the inner western suburbs, along with a 20-level office building and luxury residential tower.

State Development Corporation managing director Ross McKinnon said that securing Harris Farm Markets set the precedent of the high-quality offering at Aviary Toowong.

“A variety of quality fresh produce is the cornerstone of modern retailing and is the core focus of Aviary Toowong,” he said.

An artist’s impression of a residential tower at the Aviary Toowong.

“The grocer will be nicely complemented by buzzing cafes, quaint restaurants, entertainment and speciality shops, along with a modern state-of-the-art cinema complex.

“The retail and hospitality tenancies are being curated with residents and locals in mind to complement what’s already on offer in the area.”

CBRE head of shopping centre leasing Lewis Torkington said initial tenant interest for Aviary Plaza Toowong has been strong.

“Toowong’s densely populated primary trade area is home to just over 52,000 people for whom the centre is an important hub for work, services, leisure, retail and transportation links to the Brisbane CBD,” he said.

“We anticipate making further announcements over coming weeks regarding other exciting anchor operators that will complement the mix.”