Loloma Jewellers to close as owner Graham Jackson retires, 88
After more than 60 years in the jewellery business, Graham Jackson will be saddened to walk out the doors for the last time.
Townsville
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After more than 60 years in the jewellery business, Graham Jackson will be saddened to walk out of the doors of his beloved business for the final time.
Loloma Jewellery has sold thousands of rings, necklaces and bracelets over the decades to adoring customers.
But today the final store, situated in Stockland Shopping Centre, will close its doors temporarily as Mr Jackson retires aged 88.
The hugely influential businessman will turn 89 in September but refuses to slow down.
“I think I will have to learn how to tap dance,” he joked.
“I still have a very active mind, I still do accounts for businesses which I still enjoy.”
Loloma Jewellers had a fairytale beginning in 1959 after he tried to buy a gift for his late wife Betty.
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“(I) wanted to buy Betty some jewellery for a present and could not believe the low standard jewellery stores (were) and said we need to open one and her mother flew up and agreed to manage it,” Mr Jackson said.
“I just couldn’t believe how bad the stores were. They needed something modern.”
Mr Jackson introduced the latest styles in the city which was at the time growing. He went on to open jewellers across Townsville, including the CBD and major shopping centres in the suburbs and then expanded into Cairns.
At the time Townsville was riding on the back of the resources sector, but Mr Jackson said the city began to struggle when the mining downfall hit.
Shops started to close, including Loloma Jewellery stores, and the CBD began to empty.
The former Townsville Chamber of Commerce president and founding director of Townsville Enterprise said the move of stores into shopping centres had emptied the city to a point where he was now counting dozens of vacant shops.
“We now have 44 empty shops (on Charters Towers Rd). But you have beautiful new shopping centres opening up in suburbs, like North Shore. It’s a great new addition to the city but it’s killing the CBD.”
Mr Jackson holds a definite pride in the work he has done for the city through his numerous roles and will hold fond memories of Loloma.
He said his departure had left him “very sad” but with six children and 14 grandchildren, Mr Jackson plans on enjoying time with his family and penning a book on his life.
New owners Brad and Lynn Remmer will reopen the doors to Loloma Jewellery on August 1.
Originally published as Loloma Jewellers to close as owner Graham Jackson retires, 88