End of an era for Myer Centre in Queen Street Mall as owners reveal new name

Myer’s Queen Street Mall location has been a city icon for more than three decades, but now that it’s gone, the shopping precinct owners have revealed its new name. TAKE OUR POLL

The closure of the Myer’s CBD store has made way for a new era, with the iconic Queen Street Mall destination taking on a brand new identity: Uptown.

Previously named the Myer Centre after its flagship tenant, joint owners ISPT and Vicinity Centres have revealed Uptown’s new name as the first step to its new future.

Inside the Myer store in Brisbane's CBD on its last day of trade. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

While the plan for the development of the centre is still in the works, Vicinity Centres Regional general manager Daniel Sutton said he believed the centre’s most vibrant days were ahead.

Pics: Myer Brisbane cleaned out on last day

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“Uptown will be a pivotal part of the modern identity of Brisbane’s CBD and the name reflects its standing and influence of its prime location,” he said.

Myer’s Queen St location had been a symbol of the city for more than three decades, but the owners chose not to renew its lease after talks between the store and landlord broke down.

ISPT Regional asset manager Leah Mienert said her company was looking forward to releasing the plan to revamp the centre.

Customers in the Queens Street Mall Myer store on its last day of trading in the centre of Brisbane. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

As its shelves were stripped bare, former Myer Centre workers Nicole Anne Ho and Rhea Sorensen returned to their old store on Monday to say goodbye after an impressive 20 years served between the pair.

“It was really hard to come back, I knew I had to, otherwise I would be sad,” Ms Ho said.

“I didn’t expect it but my eyes definitely glazed over, it’s not what I remember that’s for sure.

“It isn’t the usual shoppers in today, the place has been stripped. I never think of things ending so I am excited to see what comes here next.”

Women’s and men’s apparel, cosmetics, homewares and children’s toys were all up to an extra 90 per cent off as hundreds of shoppers stripped the centre bare, some even being described as “vultures” by other shoppers.

Former Myer Centre workers Rhea Sorensen and Nicole Anne Ho made a journey to visit the store to look and remember on its last day of trading. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Self-confessed shopaholics Aly Leech and Vinaya Kandasamy reminisced about what the Myer Centre was to Queen Street Mall.

“I remember coming here as a teenager on a Friday night and it being so exciting – it will be sad to see it go,” Ms Leech said.

Ms Kandasamy said: “My son is 21 now and I used to take him here so he could ride the rollercoaster on the top level; it wasn’t what it used to be.”

Myer has been contacted for comment regarding the store’s last official day of trading.

Uptown continues to operate offering a mix of retail, dining and entertainment options with no impact to public transport, carpark access or existing retailers within the centre.