THRIVED OR DIVED: How 32 Mackay businesses fared in 2020

We take a look back at the stores that either opened or closed during the tumultuous year that was 2020

It goes without saying how tumultuous the business scene was in Mackay throughout 2020 because of COVID-19.

Many were shocked when long-established businesses folded under the pressure of an unprecedented environment of lockdowns and quarantines.

But amid the chaos, there were also new starts as entrepreneurs took a risk despite the uncertainties.

We took a look back through the 2020 archives to collate the most notable examples of businesses that thrived and those that dived in the year that was.

 

DIVED: Rocla concrete factory

The Mackay institution since about the mid-1930s closed its doors in August, allegedly having been in gradual decline for years.

Former staff member of 37 years Neil Whitworth said the factory had been a "huge part of Mackay" and employed many local families over the decades.

 

THRIVED: Schnitty in a Box

Schnitty in a Box offered whatever flavour parmigianas our hearts desired in the comfort of own homes when it opened in Mackay.

The takeaway schnitzels came in chicken, beef or pork and were covered in a range of different toppings.

 

THRIVED: Jays Barber Co. Cuts and Coffee, Northern Beaches

As a boy, Jaden Tomkinson would get his hair cut by Fla at his Northern Beaches barber shop near the service station.

Then at 24, Mr Tomkinson chose to open his second Mackay barber and coffee shop in the same complex.

 

DIVED: Anytime Fitness

Owner Matthew Chilingirian announced "with a heavy heart" his Mackay gym would permanently close after seven years in business.

"2020 has been a tough year for all businesses and an emotional roller coaster but you've stood by my side the whole time and shown loyalty, strength and resilience," Mr Chilingirian's Facebook post stated.

 

THRIVED: Greenthumb Seedlings

Full-time Mackay teacher Brendan Ban turned his part-time gardening passion into a business during COVID-19.

Mr Ban said all of his herb, vegetable, chilli and flower seedlings were 100 per cent pesticide free and sun-hardened for the Mackay climate.

 

DIVED: Don Daniel's on the River

Mackay's only restaurant with a deck over the Pioneer River was forced to permanently close after the discovery of rotten pylons.

Owner Daniel Salgado said the forced decision had left feeling "blown out of the water".

 

THRIVED: Simply Fabulous

A Mackay business owner managed to grow her humble boho-inspired market stall into a fully-fledged retail store.

It stocks colourful, patterned and cotton dresses along with handmade gifts, jewellery, accessories and more.

 

 

DIVED: Nick's IGA - Shakespeare St and Bridge Rd

The Nick's IGA store on Shakespeare St, affectionately remembered as Hatties by Mackay residents, closed permanently after decades on the street corner.

Former owner Nick Habgood said it was "a sign of the times" as former employee Charlie Dunnett was forced to say goodbye to his job of 37 years.

Mr Habgood also shocked the community when he sold his Bridge Rd IGA store to the Peries IGA group.

 

THRIVED: All the Way Offroad Mackay

Former miner Teal Wood, who grew up in Mackay, opened his 4X4 accessories and mechanic shop in August.

Mr Wood said the store customised a range of 4X4 products as well as made scissor-down brackets for tub racks and lined rock sliders.

 

THRIVED: Spudz 'n' Stuff Mackay

Husband and wife team Ashley and Katrina Anderson joined Mackay's food truck vanguard when they opened their business this year.

The business serves up homebaked treats including a favourite English comfort food from Mr Anderson's childhood.

 

DIVED: Mosaic Brands

While it is still unknown whether Mackay stores - including Millers, W. Lane, Noni B, Rivers, Katies, Autograph, Rockmans and beme - will go, Mosaic Brands announced it would be shutting up to 500 stores in the next two years.

The company reported a staggering $45.8 million annual loss in August, a far fall from its forecasted $75 million profit.

 

THRIVED: WindSonus

Former music teacher Nick de Brueys left the classroom to pursue WindSonus in January, having appreciated the difficulty in getting timely repairs done on his students' instruments.

Mr de Brueys said he planned to begin a program called Blow a Fiver, where social musicians could form small ensembles at a time that suited the individual.

 

THRIVED: Pozza Tea

An international tea chain burst into Australia for the first time, with a new bubble tea shop opening at Mount Pleasant.

Pozza Tea owner Van Nguyen said he, his wife Ha Hoang and his sister-in-law first opened their Vietnamese tea stall five years ago.

 

THRIVED: Telstra, Caneland Central and Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre

Telstra opened new stores at both Mackay shopping centres promising to "showcase the future of technology".

The new store at Caneland Central was almost double the size of the old premise with new consultation areas.

 

DIVED: Eungella General Store and Cafe

Opening the Eungella General Store and Cafe to customers for the last time in June, co-owner Michaela Pritchard said: "I've just got to keep my chin up today and not cry."

Together with fellow co-owner Jamie Mussig, the couple made the hard decision to stop trading after COVID-19 travel restrictions dealt the final blow to their already struggling business.

 

THRIVED: Puppy Preschool

Mackay's first puppy preschool, the brainchild of Alyssa Bird who runs Purrfection Grooming in North Mackay, opened with a celebration party in July.

"The point of the daycare was to get dogs out and socialising in an environment that is very stimulating … so the dogs aren't left to their own devices," Ms Bird said.

 

DIVED: Ashtart Mackay

It was a sad goodbye for one of Mackay's favourite dining venues as the popular Lebanese venture shut up shop in February.

Mackay dentist Wael Assaf said he made the hard decision to close his passion project because of family and the cyclic battle of finding and training staff.

 

THRIVED: Breathe Wellness Collective

Leonie Leonard wanted to create a space in Mackay where those who were stressed, anxious, injured or dealing with health problems could walk through the doors and exhale.

That business model came to fruition at the end of January when Mrs Leonard opened the doors to Breathe Wellness Collective in Mackay's CBD.

 

THRIVED: Resources Centre of Excellence

The doors of one of Mackay's greatest assets were flung open to the world in November with an open day giving residents a chance to witness the industry innovation and development.

RCOE general manager Steven Boxall said the vision for the centre was to allow business and industry to use the space to develop the "technology and the jobs of the future".

 

THRIVED: Wara Sushi

With a full restaurant and a line of people waiting outside the door, Wara Sushi kicked off with a bang in Mackay in February.

Offering delicious Japanese cuisine along with an impressive restaurant set-up, the sushi train is well known across Queensland.

 

THRIVED: Red Lotus Company Skate and Tattoo

Brenton Hawkins opened the Red Lotus Company Skate and Tattoo shop in June, featuring a private tattoo-by-appointment only studio at the front and the skate shop at the back.

The range included professional skateboarding Vans shoes and brands like Spitfire, Thrasher, Dickies, Welcome, Polar, Antihero, Thunder and Creature.

 

THRIVED: Chances Cafe

Mackay's rough sleepers were given a fresh start when the local charity Australian Street Aid Project announced the opening of its not-for-profit Chances Cafe in June.

The cafe provides its staff with on-the-job training and skills in hospitality and ­retail as well as supporting them with packages tailored to their specific needs, with the goal of ending the cycle of homelessness.

 

THRIVED: Invictus Ink, Sarina

Adam Davis said genitalia and a person's face were the only parts he would not ink. Everything else was fair game.

Mr Davis was the artist behind Invictus Ink, the new tattoo shop that opened at 2A East St in Sarina in August.

 

THRIVED: Porters Mitre 10

Porters Mitre 10 announced it was reopening its trade centre at Rural View in August as the business celebrated 137 years of servicing the Mackay region.

The Northern Beaches Trade Centre had closed in 2016 following knock-on effects from the mining downturn.

 

THRIVED: Fitness Studios

Two new fitness businesses opened along Walkerston's main road offering different ways for Valley and Mackay residents to get fit.

It was easy to spot the two fresh paint jobs along Dutton St where Core Defined pilates and Shred with Tegan opened just two doors apart from each other.

 

THRIVED: Two Brothers Fishing

The husband and wife owners of Two Brothers Fishing, Belinda and Michael Sawtell, said they had to think quickly in order to keep their business afloat after COVID-19 put a dampener on exports almost overnight.

They decided to start selling their catch fresh from their boat to customers at Mackay Marina.

 

DIVED: Big on Shoes Mackay

The struggling Mackay CBD retail business will close on Christmas Eve after COVID-19 dealt the final blow.

Owner Melissa Westcott said the "very hard" decision to close the Mackay store was made with "great sadness".

"To say this has been a devastating decision is an understatement," Ms Westcott said.

 

THRIVED: Yaw Cafe

COVID-19 may have cost him his job, but Brandan Tranberg said the pandemic would not stop him chasing his childhood dream.

Mr Tranberg and his mother Paget's Good Day Cafe owner Leanne Tranberg, teamed up to open their new restaurant and cafe, Yaw in August.

 

DIVED: Paddock and Brew

The American inspired smokehouse and craft beer bar is now listed online as 'permanently closed'. 

It is understood the restaurant, in the heart of Mackay's CBD, never reopened after the height of Queensland's pandemic lockdown. 

 

THRIVED: Adventure Kings

The 4WD Supacentre returned to Mackay in October promising to be bigger and better than when it was formerly run out of a dealership.

Marketing manager Matt Smith said the store's new location and showroom allowed them to have the entire Adventure Kings range on display.

 

THRIVED: Lush Beauty Bar

Learning to love herself was a long journey for Mackay mum-of-two Heidi Eastcott.

When the cosmetic nurse first moved to the region just a couple of years ago, she had a passion for women's health and self care, but very little experience operating a business.

Flashforward to January 2020 and the 35 year old was celebrating the grand opening of her own clinic.

 

DIVED: Harris Scarfe

Six of Queensland's Harris Scarfe stores closed as part of a restructure to breathe new life into the troubled retailer.

Department stores at Cairns, Hervey Bay, Mackay, Morayfield, Rockhampton and Townsville were among 21 across Australia closed by administrators of Harris Scarfe.

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