Stores that are gone but not forgotten at Chadstone shopping centre

From the crowds at Suga to the shelves of books at Borders, here are eight stores that will spark nostalgia from the good old days at Chadstone shopping centre.

From humble beginnings to the biggest shopping centre in the southern hemisphere, Chadstone has certainly changed a lot over the years.

With the latest renovations completed in 2016, there are no shortage of shops but we definitely miss some favourites.

From Borders to What’s New, here are eight iconic stores that will spark nostalgia from the good old days.

SUGA

Supplied Editorial Old Suga store at Chadstone

Shoppers won’t forget the queues that congregated outside Suga. Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the workers crafting and cutting the boiled candy into small pieces. Kids begged their parents for rainbow lollipops and jars of lollies. The next best thing was the bucket of free samples.

DISNEY STORE

If you couldn’t get to Disneyland, the old Disney store at Chadstone use to be the next best thing. The walls were covered with colourful plush toys of all your favourite characters including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Goofy. The store also sold mugs, key chains and pens.

WHAT’S NEW

There are only three What’s New stores remaining in Victoria — Traralgon, Morwell and Shepparton.

What’s New gift stores were permanent fixtures at suburban shopping centres and Chadstone was no different. The neon glow beaming from the bright purple and yellow stores lured shoppers with the promise of knick-knacks and gifts we never knew we wanted or needed. Beanie Kids, AFL merchandise, disco balls, glow-in-the-dark lava lamps and personalised plates were sold here.

TOYS R US

Being a child in the 1990s was an exciting time with the opening of Toys R Us stores. Families flocked to the Chadstone shop that was located on the bottom level near where Schnitz is now. The biggest toy store chain in Australia collapsed in May 2018, shutting all 44 stores but it relaunched online in 2020.

BORDERS

Bookworms were devastated when Borders closed at Chadstone.

It was the place where avid readers united. Borders at Chadstone was decked out with comfortable couches where customers could sit and enjoy a quiet moment with a magazine or novel. The store was also packed with CDs and DVDs, making it the perfect place to find a gift for a friend. But Borders’ story ended when owner REDGroup entered voluntary administration in 2011 with the two-storey shop closing shortly after.

THE PANCAKE PARLOUR

The beloved Pancake Parlour had a presence at Chadstone back in the day. They served all of your favourite sweet and savoury treats. The restaurant was located near the old Hoyts. Although you can’t get your pancake fix at Chadstone anymore, the franchise is still located in different suburbs around the state.

TIMEZONE

Timezone Chadstone was serious fun!

A trip to the movies and Timezone went hand-in-hand at Chadstone. The arcade store was the place for teenagers to hang out, kids to play and couples to compete in shooting hoops. Down the Clown, King of the Hammer and Time Crisis were just some of the most popular games. Everyone’s aim was to collect the most tickets to win the biggest prize behind the counter. Even though the Chadstone store shut, they are still opened in Forest Hill, Eastland, Craigieburn and Fountain Gate.

DOWNYFLAKE DONUTS

Friends and families flocked to the old-fashioned diner for coffee dates and lunch. No-one will forget the mascot — a man with a monocle, holding a fresh plate of donuts. This first Downyflake Donuts outfit, and all those that opened later in suburban shopping centres including Chadstone and Northland, had the “American Donut Machine” that produced fresh cinnamon doughnuts. But by the early 1980s, Downyflake was gone.

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