Bowen Convenience Store sold after 21 years as Lester, Carmer Nichols step down

After two decades of burgers, lotto and loyal customers, Bowen’s Nichols family is stepping away from the store they’ve called home since 2004.

The Bowen Convenience Store in Powell Street stocks grocery items, meat packs, ice-creams and much more. It is also an agent for dry cleaning and embroidery, and you can get your lotto ticket or scratch it.

It’s the end of an era for one North Queensland family-run business as the Bowen Convenience Store says goodbye to its stewards of 20 years.

Lester and Carmel Nichols bought the Bowen Convenience store 21 years ago when they drove through Bowen in 2004.

Lester Nichols, 66, said they saw the business and thought Bowen was a good place to “semi-retire or settle down”, so he made an offer on the business and it was accepted.

After 21 years of running the Bowen Convenience Store, Lester and Carmel Nichols have sold the business. Picture: Evan Morgan

Despite taking some time to get established, soon business was booming and they even brought Golden Casket lotto into the store, improving turn-over and drawing in new customers.

The business suffered a significant setback in 2017 when Cyclone Debbie struck North Queensland, forcing the Nichols to close down for eight months.

“Of course customers break habit and tradition and we had to start from scratch again,” Mr Nichols said.

Despite the setback, Mr Nichols said they had many faithful customers who visited “regardless” for the lotto and burgers, showing great loyalty to the business.

On March 26, the Nichols officially announced the Bowen Convenience Store had been sold and the new owners would take over operation on Monday March 31, 2025.

“It was just time,” Mr Nichols said.

“We were getting on a bit... but we’re not going to retire yet.”

The new owners will have taken over operation of the store by March 31, 2025.

Despite saying farewell to their business, the Nichols will “probably” take on part-time work, but aren’t quite sure where yet.

“It’s one of those thing that after working 60 hours a week if you cut down to 30 it only feels like part-time,” Mr Nichols said.

The two will celebrate the end of their stewardship on March 29, 2025 with a little gathering complete with a free sausage sizzle and slushies for the kids.

“The whole idea is to basically put something on for our loyal customers and say thank you,” Mr Nichols said.

“Nothing elaborate... I’m not a flashy person so I’ve got to keep things simple and level headed.”

Mr Nichols said to the best of his knowledge the new owners would continue operating the convenience store and could not give much more information on them.