Country clothing store Ringers Western opens at Yandina

A more than century-old shop front in the heart of a Sunshine Coast hinterland township is now home to a country clothing store.

A mother of two who saw a gap in the country clothing market in the Sunshine Coast is bringing a slice of the west to the coast.

Suzanne Harley has opened the Sunshine Coast’s first Ringers Western at a more than century-old shop at Yandina.

The Stevens St store was restored to its former glory with original timber floorboards among the eye-catching features of the new clothing store.

Suzanne Harley has opened the Sunshine Coast's first Ringers Western at a more than a century-old Yandina store. Picture: Tegan Annett

Ms Harley said within the first week of opening the response from the local community was overwhelmingly positive.

“Everyone seems to be really happy there’s a Ringers Western in Yandina,” she said.

With decades of retail experience behind her Ms Harley was keen to open a Ringers Western on the Sunshine Coast to fill a gap in the market.

She said it was the first business she had owned since moving to the Sunshine Coast six years ago.

The Sunshine Coast's first Ringers Western has opened at Stevens St, Yandina. Picture: Tegan Annett

Ms Harley said Yandina’s location made it the perfect area for the Australian clothing franchise.

“We’ve always loved Yandina, it’s a beautiful town and has a community and country feel to it but it’s still close to the coast,” she said.

The Stevens St store was formerly a newsagent but its history dates back to 1915 when it was originally a co-op.

Ms Harley said she had worked for the past four months to have the store open in time for Christmas.

“There’s been a lot of local support, everyone has been in to have a look around,” she said.

The Sunshine Coast‘s first Ringers Western has opened at Stevens St, Yandina. Picture: Tegan Annett

Ringers Western was started in the Kimberley region in Western Australia in 2012 and now has stores around Australia.

It specialises in quality country clothing, but also stocks swimwear and activewear.

Ms Harley said the store would soon have a larger range and cater for corporate clothing too.

“The clothing is designed by an Australian for Australian conditions … plenty of men struggle to get quality clothing that they can wear from the property into town,” she said.

“As we grow we'll stock more and more of the range.”