Toombul traders vow to fight back after being told to strip everything

Toombul retailers have vowed to return to the flood-ravaged northside shopping centre, despite facing a stomach-turning aftermath and being told to strip everything and start all over.

A growing number of Toombul retailers are vowing to return to the flood-ravaged northside shopping centre, despite many being to told to “de-fit’’ and start all over.

The centre has been fenced off for more than a week, with buses picking up passengers on surrounding streets as the bus interchange was also closed.

The now dried-out car park has been packed with dozens of tradies’ vehicles as the cleanout and repairs begin under difficult conditions.

While traders have been allowed back in small groups they have to be escorted, kitted out in safety gear and take a safety briefing.

All surfaces and contents are coated in mould and the stench has been appalling.

But some resilient traders have already bounced back and reopened at new or temporary premises.

Staff at major stores have been redeployed to surrounding suburbs and others have been hired by local employers.

Toombul Family Dental will have to be gutted and refitted. Picture: TFD Facebook page

Toombul Family Dental owner Bella Verity vowed to return to the centre, but in the meantime they were working from space in the CBD.

They would then move to their second practice — which coincidentally was due to open in a few weeks at Everton Park.

Ms Verity posted a heartfelt message of thanks to her clients from her bed at a Brisbane hospital where she was recovery from jaw surgery (unrelated to the floods).

“It’s been a really overwhelming time for me and the whole team,’’ she said in a video posted earlier this week, in which she could be seen holding a cold compress up to her jaw.

“The good news is we are being allowed to go in and clean the practice in the next few days.

“The downside is we, and basically every retailer in Toombul, have been advised they have to de-fit their premises.’’

She said they would then have to rebuild “from scratch’’.

Fortunately, their patient records were saved.

Stefan hairdressers general manager Rose King said the Toombul store was a write-off, with all fittings and stock having to be thrown out.

“But we have redirected our beautiful staff to Chermside, Aspley and Brookside (Stefan outlets). We’re lucky to have so many others,’’ she said.

“We also had our own insurance, but are in talks with our brokers.’’

Ms King said Stefan’s South Brisbane headquarters had suffered far worse damage.

The headquarters, which employs 20 office staff, its academy, warehouse and Bach Living homewares store were all wiped out, costing “well into the millions’’ in damage.

“We have filled eight big industrial skips and have a crusher coming in tomorrow (Saturday March 19) which will probably fill another six skips,’’ she said.

All stock and fittings at Stefan in Toombul has had to be dumped.

“I wanted to donate the furniture to Lismore (flood victims) but you just can’t. You don’t know what’s got on it.

“We have 35 to 40 apprentices and five teachers at the academy who thankfully can stay at South Bank TAFE for a month, but we will need to find somewhere else for them to go.’’

Three doctors who had been working at flood-ravaged Toombul Family Clinic are now practising out of Brookside Family Clinic, seeing as many Toombul patients as possible until they could relocate.

Meridian Care, which offers acupunture and massage services, said it was providing transport help to its staff so they could work at its North Lakes outlet until Toombul reopened.

Loyal customers had told them they would continue to support them but they expected some to baulk at the distance.

They planned to return to Toombul if their insurer agreed the event was a storm event and paid out.

Inside the ruined Petbarn outlet. Picture: Amy Facett/Facebook

Petbarn Toombul manager Cindy Ireland said the outlet, and Petbarn Windsor, had both been destroyed.

There were no cats or dogs at the store. The birds and fish were able to be saved.

“Scenarios and time frames for reopening are not promising. As the manager of both I’ve had to try to reschedule at least two months worth of clients, for both stores,’’ she posted on Facebook.

“All existing appointments have been cancelled and the majority of the grooming teams are at Mitchelton. We are running six days a week.

“The destruction is very confronting. Toombul is my baby. I opened as the salon manager four years ago.’’

Priceline pharmacy was believed to have moved staff and other functions to Taigum Healthcare Pharmacy, although they could not be reached for comment.

Toombul Barber, which has operated at various spaces in the shopping centre since it opened in 1967, will reopen at the corner of Lancaster Rd and Charlton St in Ascot on March 26.

The shop was opened in 1967 and has been at Toombul Shopping Centre ever since.

Ruined customer chairs at Stefan Toombul.

The owner of 2 Brothers Traditional Barber, Mohannad Alhasnawi, confirmed staff at Toombul had been relocated to its Chermside, Carindale and Myer Centre shops.

Studio Solo & Co coffee shop posted that it would reopen very soon in its former location near Toombul train station.

Local footy legend and Function Well gym owner Darren Bain has created a boutique fitness and wellness hub at the Mercedes-Benz showroom in the Breakfast Creek Lifestyle Precinct after having to close at Toombul.

The former Wynnum-Manly Seagulls captain expected the hub at the Toombul Shopping Centre to remain closed for three to six months, although owner Mirvac was still working through the flood damage with tenants and has yet to give an indicative timeline.

All stock and fittings at Stefan in Toombul has had to be dumped.

Since the floods, the Function Well team has been working around the clock to minimise disruptions to their VIP members, who include former elite rugby players and radio announcers.

Toombul Skin and Beauty posted that it had cancelled all appointments until further notice.

“We’re sending our love to those who are also flooded. Watch this space, we will be back,’’ they said.

The Works Australia clothing store, which has been at Toombul for 15 years, said it was a very tough time but it also vowed to return.

“We shed quite a few tears after closing our doors,’’ they posted.

“We’ve experienced great times, good times and other times over 15 years, but memories and wonderful friendships have been created and won’t be forgotten.’’

Flood damage at Toombul Family Dental. Picture: TFD Facebook page

Antica Home boutique owner Tina Worland was too distraught to turf into bins the many garments, shoes, accessories and homewares from her much-loved boutique so was grateful for the support of her family and friends.

“I physically couldn’t do it and had to stand back and let my team take control and throw everything away,” Mrs Worland said on Thursday.

“Sixty plus pairs of shoes and I didn’t get one,” she said, trying to make light of a dark situation.

Mrs Worland said there were still a few things to attend to before she could “focus on healing, recovery and moving forward”.

She said it was chiling to realise how your hopes and dreams can be snatched away in a few minutes”.