Huge new food development for Mackay CBD site

Mackay Wholesale Meats site to be developed into one-stop shop

FRESH FOOD CENTRE: The Mackay Wholesale Meats site will soon be developed into a one-stop shop for fresh produce.

IN WHAT'S been described as a "tremendous vote of confidence" in the Mackay region's economy, a fresh food emporium is about to transform a humble corner butcher shop.

In a first for the Mackay region, a warehouse-style food centre which will include a butcher, a fruit and vegetable operator, a bakery, a seafood store, a cafe and various other tenants is being developed.

Having leased a space at the site for 20 years, Mackay Wholesale Meats earlier this year took the plunge and purchased the entire 1832sqm warehouse property for $1.35million and are driving the new development. Mackay Wholesale Meats owner Jim Smith said after servicing the region for so many years, it was the perfect time for the business to stand up and say 'we're having a go'.

"The premises was up for sale and our lease was up for negotiation and the bottom line is we could have been kicked out at any time," Mr Smith said. "We needed to spend a lot of money just to refit our shop and it just wasn't feasible so we were looking to relocate. So we decided to buy the place and do our own thing instead," Mr Smith said.

"We intend to develop the site into a fresh food centre with fresh meat, carvery, all the small goods, deli, fresh fruit and veg, seafood cooked and fresh, cafe and we are trying to work on a baker.

"We are trying to outsource a green grocer and I have approached some local people, we have had positive feedback from cafes, seafood and all we really have to do is define the lines with final design and everyone comes on board."

Mackay Wholesale Meats development. Picture: Melanie Plane

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said the pending development and was tremendous vote of confidence in the future of the CBD area and particularly that end of town.

"In terms of commercial activity within the confines of the CBD there has been several stores change hands and open but this is a major redevelopment of a significant site in the city and we haven't seen something like this before," Cr Williamson said.

"There has been a nice rejuvenation of that whole area. We have seen the new fire station go down there and the Oaks Hotel. These new developers have seen the opportunity and I really hope it come to fruition for them.

"When we start our whole Priority Development Area progress we are going to spend about $8M in the Queens Park area, which is basically across the road, and make that into a very modern inner city park with lots of connectivity. It's all a very positive move."

Mr Smith said the project was all about providing an alternative and giving customers a unique experience.

"I have done a lot of study on different scenarios around the country. We have been to Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Brisbane where there are lot of these fresh food centre popping up. Mackay has nothing like it," he said.

"Mackay is screaming for it. People are looking for an alternative to supermarkets. You want to give the customer an experience, for people to come here and relax with a cup of coffee, get some fish and chips or something from the carvery with a ready cooked meal. There is going to be a whole range of things we are going to put in here."

The entrance to the new centre will be in Carlyle Street, with alfresco seating both inside and out.

"Where the shop front is now is where the frontage of the baker, seafood and cafe will be with an alfresco area out the front," Mr Smith said.

"You will walk inside to a big fresh food area. There will also be seating in the middle, I am trying to allow for about 150 seats."

Changes have already been made to the property with the exterior recently spruced up and painted a striking shade of black. Mr Smith said as soon as a fruit and vegetable operator comes on board, interior construction will begin.

"Once we have everyone on board, it will not take much to get going at all. It will be done in two stage, for us to start we just need a fruit and veg operator to move in."

Harcourts Broadwater are currently marketing the site seeking expressions of interest from experienced fruit and vegetable operators, bakers, seafood operators and cafes.

Originally published as Huge new food development for Mackay CBD site