Broadbeach supermarket on Gold Coast returns but IGA is gone and so are the former owners

A 15-year-old fixture of the Broadbeach retail scene - famous for its inspiring signs - has returned but this time under new ownership.

A BROADBEACH mini-supermarket that abruptly shut its doors in June signalling it would be back in six months is up-and-running again but this time under new ownership.

On June 6 Broadbeach Central IGA Express, located across the road from the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre at 2719 Gold Coast Highway, shut its doors with the owner flagging plans to reopen by mid-December.

The store was run by Propurpose Pty Ltd, associated with John O’Reilley, and has been a fixture of Broadbeach’s retail scene since 2005.

It was known for its large range of organic snacks and chocolate treats and inspirational and sometimes cheeky messages posted on its sign outside.

The note posted outside of Broadbeach Central IGA Express store when it closed in June.

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However, the coronavirus pandemic hit the business hard when the convention centre closed and holiday-let apartment buildings started running at single digit occupancy.

The supermarket reopened more than a week ago tagged as Broadbeach Convenience Store.

Company searches show Broadbeach Convenience Store Pty Ltd was registered by Southport resident Amit Sharma, 30, on June 28.

Landlord John Potter, who has 40 tenants on the highway-fronting retail strip, previously said he “looked forward” to the IGA returning in December.

However, yesterday he said he had decided to get in a new tenant for the space.

One of the messages the Broadbeach IGA frequently posted outside of the shop front.

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“He (John O’Reilley) was telling me he wanted to do that (return in December) but I was not happy with him disappearing for six months and not paying me rent,” Mr Potter said.

A new lease has been signed with the tenant.

The Broadbeach retail strip has seen the return of a number of stores recently including Subway.

Mr O’Reilley could not be contacted for comment.