First Toowoomba Macpac store opens in Grand Central

The first Toowoomba Macpac store has opened in the city’s CBD, as the shopping centre draws more sports and adventure brands into regional Qld.

Kevin Farmer and Christine Schindler

less than 2 min read

May 25, 2024 - 5:05PM

Toowoomba Chronicle

Spinning to win an opening day prize after making a purchase is Tamara Counter (left) with Macpac staff member Zoey Twidle as the shop opens in Grand Central, Saturday, May 25, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Toowoomba

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The first regional Queensland Macpac store has opened in the Toowoomba CBD as specials draw eager shoppers.

In a packed store of jackets, coats, backpacks, jumpers and beanies located only a few storefronts from H&M, the shop is abuzz with customers and Tamara Counter has already won a jacket for her 19-year-old daughter, who recently started working at the store.

“It's really great on these wintry days to have something warm and lightweight to wear,” she said.

With family property in Torrington and also near Texas, she said the jackets will be great to wear if it snows.

Spinning to win an opening day prize after making a purchase is Tamara Counter with Macpac staff member Zoey Twidle as the shop opens in Grand Central, Saturday, May 25, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The brand started in 1973 when Bruce McIntyre designed a built-for-extreme-conditions backpack from his parents’ garage in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Fifty-one years later the brand is well known with at least 36 stores across Australia, four in Brisbane and now in Toowoomba.

“I think the outdoor market is growing and we are always looking for opportunities to expand,” Macpac area manager Marjon de Boer said.

“It’s a little bit colder here and a lot of people shop in Brisbane.”

Grand Central centre manager Tracey Ford said Macpac was one of a number of outdoor and sports stores to recently open in Grand Central, including JD Sports and Foot Lockyer with LSKD soon to come.

“We’re bringing new brands and new retailers to town which is great for our customers as they don’t have to travel to Brisbane,” Ms Ford said.