Hello and goodbye to Cairns businesses in 2020
In a tough year by anyone’s standards, Cairns farewelled some well-known businesses in 2020 - but the outlook is vibrant with numerous new businesses also opening their doors.
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Challenging business conditions as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and national decisions by retailers resulted in the end of some well-known and loved stores in 2020, but Cairns also welcomed an array of exciting new businesses, from five-star hotels to boutique and niche solo operations.
ROCKMANS, LAKE ST
ROCKMANS on the corner of Lake and Shields streets in the Cairns CBD shut its doors in January after operating from the site for many years.
A company spokeswoman labelled the closure of the women’s fashion store a “business decision”, albeit a regrettable one.
“As a business, we take careful consideration and care to ensure that we continue to grow and serve our customers to the best of our ability.”
“Customers are our priority, so we are always looking for opportunities to open stores in new areas and return to previous locations,” she said.
CRUST PIZZA, SHIELDS ST
The departures from Shields St continued with Crust Pizzas closing after more than two years.
Crust Pizzas general manager, Steve Hardie, said the business had been struggling.
“I think the market and conditions in Far North Queensland are difficult,” he said.
He added that council’s efforts to bring live music and markets into the area had brought traffic to the CBD on Sundays, but it didn’t convert to customers.
JEANSWEST, SMITHFIELD & CAIRNS CENTRAL
Jeanswest at Smithfield and Cairns Central closed when the fashion empire folded in January with 37 stores closing nationwide amid intense competition in the clothing retail sector. KPMG was appointed as voluntary administrators - and the good news is that Jeanswest is still open at Stockland.
KPMG’s James Stewart said the decision to restructure the business was difficult but necessary and that it offered the best chance of attracting a new owner.
“The decision to proactively restructure the business early in the administration process has not been taken lightly,” Mr Stewart said.
“We are very mindful of the serious impact store closures and staff redundancies have on people’s lives.”
LDI CONSTRUCTIONS
LDI Constructions sent shockwaves through the industry as it surrendered to mounting debt and signalled it would wind up in October, with the civil construction company owing creditors more than $2m.
Among its largest debts, LDI owed one earthworks company $730,554.17 and a concrete supplier $518,133.
ASIC documents obtained by the Cairns Post revealed the company had paid creditors up until August 2020 but in September owed creditors $1,458,641.83 and the following month a further $691,374.09.
The papers were filed on November 2.
One creditor, who declined to be identified, said the news of LDI’s liquidation was a “complete surprise”.
“My guys were on site and they were told the company was shut down,” the creditor said. “Then word filtered down.”
Anthony James Jonsson and Cameron Alexander Crichton of Grant Thornton in Cairns were appointed as liquidators.
HARRIS SCARFE
Department store Harris Scarfe was placed into receivership in December, closing its doors six Queensland locations including at Stockland Cairns.
Receiver and Deloitte restructuring services partner Vaughan Strawbridge said 44 stores would remain in the portfolio to be offered for sale.
He said about 88 full-time, 128 part-time and 224 casual positions were affected.
“We have continued to trade the business since our appointment, and this has been well supported by loyal employees and customers, so this has been a difficult decision, but one necessary to position the Harris Scarfe business for a successful sale and continued operation,” Mr Strawbridge said.
COLETTE
Popular women’s handbag and jewellery retailer Collette was placed in voluntary administration in late January, with the store at DFO and the Cairns Central store subsequently closing.
Colette by Colette Hayman, which sold handbags, jewellery and accessories, operated 140 stores across Australia and New Zealand, including two in the Far North, at Cairns Central and DFO Cairns.
Deloitte Restructuring Services partner Vaughan Strawbridge said Colette by Colette Hayman had been impacted by the current weak retail environment.
INTIME SURFWEAR
InTime Surf and Street Wear was a fixture in the Cairns CBD for more than two decades, most recently in Shields St, but closed its doors in April.
Owner Anita Gardiner, who purchased the business that started in 1993 from Gary and Judy Beard 10 years ago, struggled to keep the store afloat since well before the virus crisis, saying hawkers attached to neighbouring backpacker travel businesses had deterred foot traffic.
I’ve given it everything I could,” she said.
“Locals have been really supportive.”
HOGS BREATH
In April, Cairns dining institution Hogs Breath on Spence St closed after 28 years, falling victim of the coronavirus shutdown which halved business overnight.
“On election day (March 28) we closed after lunch,” franchisee Claudine Coupe said.
“It just was not adding up to do take away for that venue.”
The closure followed the end of Hogs Breath at Coolangatta and Broadbeach on the Gold Coast.
The Cairns store sponsored the Hog’s Breath Cafe Interschool Iron Kids Triathlon championship in the early 2000s and made headlines in 2004 when a fibreglass pig mascot outside the restaurant was stolen.
TALK TO THE MAC
Grafton Street’s Apple specialists Talk to the Mac filed for voluntary liquidation through ASIC in mid-November, with the proudly independent and locally owned business closing its doors after 20 years.
The Apple specialists filed for voluntary liquidation through ASIC on November 16.
“After 20 years of trading, Talk to the Mac has now permanently closed its doors,” a post on Facebook read.
“We would like to thank all of our loyal customers for your support over the years.”
Talk to The Mac stood apart from Apple Store closures when the COVID-19 pandemic escalated in March.
EVERT OPALS
After 30 years on Abbott St, Evert Opals closed its doors in November but owner Joe Mohun, whose father and brother were both opal miners, intends to focus on his store at Port Douglas and another on the corner of Abbott and Spence streets.
He was forced to shut the doors to the Abbott St outlet due to the dramatic drop in foot traffic from COVID-19 border closures and decimation of international travel.
“There was not enough foot traffic in the Cairns CBD to sustain traffic,” Mr Mohun said.
“It wasn’t too hard a decision to make, to be honest.
“These are circumstances out of our control.
“That’s the thing about business – you can’t be too emotional about it, you have to do what has to be done.”
NEWSXPRESS
News Xpress in Orchid Plaza closed after deciding not to renew its lease.
It relocated most of its stock to its existing Reservoir Road business. Meanwhile, Lotto, Australia Post and newspapers will be sold at Alive Pharmacy, across the hall.
It was an offer by Alive Pharmacy owner Nick Loukas that prompted Karen Hay to consider options for the CBD newsagent.
“A few months ago Nick approached us and said: ‘I’d really like to buy that,’” she said, pointing to her Lotto and Australia Post services. “I thought, considering COVID, that may be our best option.”
No jobs were lost in the move.
LAKE STREET CAFE GALLERY
A POPULAR Cairns CBD cafe closed after the pandemic resulted in dramatically dwindling income, but owner Marcia Walsh shifted focus to her guidance counselling business Ms Negotiator.
She bought 92 Lake Street Cafe Gallery in September 2019 and managed to triple its income before the pandemic hit in March.
“It and it was going really well from January to March,” she said. “Then COVID hit and it went down 95 per cent.”
“It’s sad because we had a very good clientele.”
Derived from her former financial planning practice, Ms Negotiator focuses on mentoring people.
COLLINS BOOKSELLERS, SMITHFIELD
Collins Booksellers at Smithfield will close in January unless a buyer comes forward, with long-time booksellers Andrew and Kerstin Brown looking forward to a more relaxed lifestyle.
“We’ve met some really lovely people and seen kids growing up from little toddlers to teenagers, and then they come in with their own children. It’s a little community,” Mrs Brown said.
“It would be nice if somebody took on the business; a lot of people would miss the shop.
“We have got a couple of acres so we’ll be gardening, which I love doing, and probably read the books that I haven’t read in the last 10 years,” she said.
“Also lots of things to do around the house as well, and some craft projects that I have in my head, and Andrew has some as well.”
And we’re open …
CRYSTALBROOK FLYNN
Flynn, the third new hotel from Crystalbrook Collection to open in Cairns welcomed guests for the first time on November 10.
Delayed from its original opening of March due to the onset of COVID-19, the arrival of Flynn completed the picture for Crystalbrook in Cairns, following the arrival of Riley in late 2018 and Bailey a year later.
The five-star Flynn has 311 rooms, many overlooking the Coral Sea, with guest facilities including a glass-bottomed swimming pool and 24-hour fitness centre.
CAIRNS CENTRAL BONANZA
The $60 million Cairns Central development has brought several new retail stores including the Beauty Emporium and Benefit Beauty Brow Bar as a one-stop shop for beauty.
The Beauty Emporium features a range of products not previously available in Cairns, including Ere Perez, Kissed Earth by Rachael Finch, AHC Beauty, Hunter Lab, Sand & Sky and Inika.
The recently opened new food hall has Rise & Bake, Hong Kong Street, Hero Sushi, fresh food grocer Excel Fresh, Asian grocer Hanaromart, with a new Woolworths is scheduled to open in early 2021.
The owner of Cairns crepe chain Rise and Bake, Mika Schleisser, took a punt on opening his third and busiest cafe in the relaunched Cairns Central, and he hasn’t looked back.
“The response has been amazing, it has been really good,” Mr Schleisser said.
Rise and Bake’s pastries and artisanal breads lure shoppers, curious about the recently opened precinct.
“Considering people did not know we were here and that the foot traffic has been one-way, it has been great,” Mr Schleisser said.
He said his newest shopfront had created 15 jobs.
Cairns Cairns Central centre manager Kristy Lee Jackson said there was growing interest in the new precinct.
“We have had some great feedback and the retailers are really excited,” she said.
JAYLA AND JAXON
Emily Griffen saw a need in the market for sun-safe swimwear for kids and decided to launch her own brand, Jayla and Jaxon.
She has now released four swimwear pieces made from high quality UPF50+ fabrics, which are available online and at Splish Splash Port Douglas.
Each design is created from Ms Griffen’s original artwork, inspired by the ocean and tropical life.
“I really want my kids to enjoy the beach, the sun and boating and adventuring as much as I have, but to be better protected than I was,” she said.
OLIVE TREE FINE FOODS
CAIRNS brothers Caleb and Eli Daly prove age is no barrier by buying their own business at the ages of just 21 and 19.
They were working at a local coffee shop together and saving for a house deposit when the opportunity to buy a business arose.
Their store, Olive Tree Fine Foods, is at Rusty’s Markets in Cairns and sells gourmet delicatessen foods, local and organic products, and barista-made coffee.
GENERATION COFFEE AND JUICE BAR
Generation Coffee and Juice Bar may appear to be the new kid on the block on the Cairns cafe scene, but you might see some familiar faces behind the counter.
Stella Adams-Jones and Sharon Murphy have been the women behind the popular Coffee Can at suburban Redlynch for years.
But when they outgrew their Michaelangelo Dr premises, they spotted an opportunity when a new commercial site was completed, just off the Redlynch Intake Rd.
Ms Adams-Jones said business was already booming.
“I’ve been so overwhelmed by the amount of people coming in to support us,” she said. “There is more foot traffic here.”
FALLAFELLICOUS CAFE
Falafellicious Cafe relocated from Kuranda to Cairns as sales dropped during a tough year.
Rather than closing his doors, cafe owner and operator Or Ben Ezra, a self proclaimed “falafeloligist”, has decided to relocate to Smithfield Shopping Centre.
“Many businesses in Kuranda have closed their doors this year, it’s very tough and quiet at the moment so I decided it was time for a change.”
Mr Ben Ezra said he was also doing his bit to support local by sourcing his produce, meat and other items from businesses in the area.
WHOLE BUBS
New independently owned and operated Whole Bubs, launched by owners James Chang and Rita Lee, opened in July, offering quality but reasonably priced baby products.
“If you are going to have baby or you have a new born this is the kind of shop you walk in and walk out with everything you need for baby in one go,” Mr Chang said.
In 2018 the neighbouring retail outlet Toys R Us and Babies R Us shut up shop.
THE OAKS CAIRNS HOTEL
A new $12 million, 76-room hotel development including a rooftop restaurant and bar opened on a prime corner of the Cairns CBD when The Oaks Cairns Hotel development completed by the local Esplanade Central groups.
Three levels were added to the building, on the corner of the Cairns Esplanade and Shields Street. The hotel joins the existing Oaks Port Douglas Resort, and forms part of a 28 hotel chain across Queensland.
CAFE CHINA
Cafe China both closed and opened stores this year. The Chinese food favourite announced its new location at 79 Mulgrave Road in September.
Owner Harry Sou opted not to renew its lease at the Reef Hotel Casino because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The location seems to be popular with customers,” he said.
“I think being near Draper Street has increased convenience for customers.”
A second Cafe China outlet is expected to open at Cairns Airport in 2021.
MELON FIESTA
Business owner Chase Hansen was inspired by his french bulldog, Fiesta, to launch a quirky new venture in Cairns.
He opened a new shop near the Night Markets on Abbott St featuring a menu full of North Queensland watermelons and locally made ice cream.
He said the idea to create the business, Melon Fiesta came from his beloved pup who went crazy for the fruit.
“Ever since she was a puppy she was just crazy over watermelon,” he said.
BURGER URGE
The popular eatery at Smithfield, voted by Cairns Post readers as one of the Far North’s best burger venues, opened a second restaurant at Stockland Cairns.
Franchisees Pat and Tom Whyte said community support had enabled them to expand.
“We’ve launched a new vegetarian and vegan range which includes seven new burger options to choose from,” Tom said.
VT ESPRESSO
Desktop publisher Tommy Insixiengmay decided on a life change when he was laid off from his job and embarked on a pastry chef apprenticeship before discovering coffee.
After being stood down from his barista position at Cairns Airport due to coronavirus, he discovered an ideal position for his own cafe at the Cairns Night Markets.
“I knew I needed to get a really good location if I was to open up during COVID; I was planning five to 10 years ahead after things go back to normal,” he said.
TACO BELL
Taco Bell will open its first restaurant in Cairns in early 2021 at the Westcourt DFO shopping centre, next to Hungry Jack’s.
There’ll be room for 60 diners inside and another 20 seats in an outdoor dining area.
The Mexican food franchise, owned by Collins Foods Limited, is building the store as part of its plan to open 50 Taco Bells in Australia by 2021.
DFO’s addition of the fast food giant follows a multimillion-dollar redevelopment of the centre by owners Sentinel Property Group, which has included a new outdoor dining and playground area.
Originally published as Hello and goodbye to Cairns businesses in 2020
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