What you want: Businesses on their 2024 plans in Mackay Whitsundays

You told us which businesses you wanted to come to Mackay and the Whitsundays in 2024, and we asked them if they’re coming. Find out whether your favourite brand is ready to commit.

You told us what businesses you wanted to come to Mackay and the Whitsundays in 2024, and we asked them. Find out whether your favourite brand is coming to our region.

From ALDI to IKEA, there were a plethora of businesses readers wanted to see in Mackay and the Whitsundays, so we asked the most popular what their plans were in 2024.

The most exciting news was that coffee empire Zarraffas is looking for a location in “the near future”, as well as 100 jobs expected to be produced by the new Guzman y Gomez drive through.

Zarraffas

Zarraffas CEO Marnie Sheldon said the coffee company was “actively seeking the right site for new stores in key locations”.

Zarraffas Pimpama staff member Bridget O'Brie informs local Connor Hutton his coffee has already been paid for in the Pay it Forward movement sweeping the area. Picture Glenn Hampson

“There is huge enthusiasm for Zarraffa’s in Mackay and surrounds and we are keen to open a drive thru store in the near future,” Ms Sheldon said.

“We encourage landlords and property developers, or owners of commercially zoned land in the region, to get in touch.

“Our ideal site will be located on a main road with good traffic access and high visibility.

“Once we have a location confirmed, we look forward to serving our Aussie-owned, handcrafted brand of specialty coffee to a whole new host of coffee-lovers.”

Guzman y Gomez

A Guzman y Gomez spokesperson said construction of a highly anticipated drive through in Mount Pleasant would begin “in the next couple of weeks”.

“GYG is optimistic that the new restaurant will be ready to open mid 2024”, the spokesperson said.

Guzman y Gomez is coming to Mackay, with details about the proposed drive-through released recently. Photo: Contributed

“The new GYG in Mackay will feature a dual lane drive thru giving the local community more convenience of getting GYG’s 100% clean and freshly prepared menu the way they want whether pick up, drive thru or dine in.

“GYG is on a mission to reinvent fast food because we genuinely believe that fast food doesn’t have to be bad food.

“To support the ongoing growth in Mackay, there will be an additional 100 jobs created.”
The spokesperson said people “who share our same obsession with delicious fresh food” can head to the company’s website for more info.

There are no immediate plans for an ALDI in Mackay.

ALDI

There was also great excitement for the upcoming ALDI being built in Andergrove, with the alternative supermarket highly requested across Mackay and Whitsundays.

The retailer did not respond definitively to requests for comment, but it is understood they will update the community as plans for the Andergrove venue progress.

A recent development application has been submitted to the Whitsunday Regional Council to build a store in Cannonvale, ALDI could not provide an update on the proposal.

Birch Carrol and Coyle Cinemas

Cartoonist Harry Bruce's take on a new ALDI store penned for Mackay.

Despite comments for a cinema in the Whitsundays or a gold class cinema at A statement from LVT Limited, the company that owns Birch Carrol and Coyle, said there were no plans for 2024.

“Unfortunately, we have no plans to open a cinema in the Whitsundays,” the statement read.

“Whilst we regularly review all our cinema locations for upgrade opportunities, we are not currently planning an expansion of BBC Cinemas Mackay Mount Pleasant.”

The final part of the Ikea sign at North lakes going into place – the big A. Picture: Chris Higgins

IKEA

Similarly IKEA was one of the most requested business to set up a brick and mortar store in the region, but the company said no plans existed for 2024.

“Unfortunately we have no plans to bring an IKEA store to Mackay or the Whitsundays at this stage”, a spokesperson said.

“However, we are pleased to offer home delivery for our customers in the north Qld area when they shop on the IKEA website or via the IKEA app.”

TKMaxx

Discount clothing retailer TKMaxx was also highly requested, but the brand said that they had no new stores to announce at this time.

However a statement said they were “delighted to hear” that customers were interested in an outlet coming to Mackay and the Whitsundays.

Dan Murphy’s

Dan Murphy's storefront.

Whitsunday residents asked whether they would be getting a Dan Murphy’s this year, yet a spokesperson said there were no hard plans.

“We are always open to exploring opportunities across the Whitsundays region,” the spokesperson said.

“With two large format Dan Murphy’s stores currently open in the region – Dan Murphy’s Mackay and Dan Murphy’s Mount Pleasant – we are committed to serving the local community.”

Target

There are no new store openings planned across Queensland, despite the requests from Whitsunday residents.

A spokesperson said there also no planned changes to the Mackay store, and that “as always” Target would let customers know if there were any planned changes.