Fans demand Kmart return its classic store feature, Holly’s cafe

To celebrate its 50th birthday, the budget retailer asked fans to recall their “favourite Kmart memories” — not predicting their response.

It’s Kmart’s 50th birthday today, and to celebrate the discount department store shared some old photos illustrating their momentous mark on Australian history.

Fans loved the throwback snaps, with the nostalgic photos sparking a call from fans to “bring back” a much-loved Kmart feature.

In a slide show of images shared on Instagram, the retailer asked their followers to recall their “favourite Kmart memory”, triggering flashbacks of better times involving fried potatoes and a signature sauce.

Kmart is celebrating its 50th birthday by releasing historic photos of the Australian store.

“The chips and gravy in your old cafes,” one fan wrote.

“When they had a restaurant inside. You could shop and eat. It was always such a treat,” another said.

One person wrote: “Holly’s Cafe, chips and gravy, by far the best memory of Kmart.”

“Holly’s crinkle cut chips,” someone else agreed.

As well as fond hot chips and gravy memories were also tales of roast beef, chicken nuggets in pirate boxes, thick milkshakes and scones with jam.

Since sharing the post just a few hours ago, fans have piled in to demand the company brings back the popular cafe, Holly’s.

“Bring back the cafes! They were awesome!” one fan wrote.

Someone else wrote: “When people mentioning cafes say whaaattt. I feel like I’m missing out bring them back!”

“You defo gotta bring back Holly’s,” another agreed.

The chain’s throwback posts sparked a demand from fans to ‘bring back Holly's’ — a cheap cafe that used to feature in stores.

An old advertisement for Kmart, which is celebrating its 50th birthday today.

Among the old photos shared — which included snaps of full carparks and cheesy promo shots from back in the day — was an old advert that included a transistor pocket radio for just $9.98 and a giant pouffe for a bargain $3.96.

Kmart opened its first store in Burwood East, Victoria on April 30, 1969 with an estimated 40,000 people passing through the check-outs and takings of over $97,000 (equivalent to $989,000 in 2019) on the first day.

Since then it has gone on to operate 228 stores across the country and become a staple for most Aussie shoppers.

It’s not the first time Kmart fans have requested the store brings back Holly’s cafeteria, with a Reddit thread from 2017 showing love for the old feature.

A Kmart spokesperson told news.com.au they wanted to thank those who remembered the cafe so fondly, hinting they would not buckle to the wishes of fans.

“Today we celebrate 50 years of Kmart and wish to sincerely thank the entire community for being part of this incredible journey.

“Holly’s Café forms an iconic chapter in our last 50 years with many of our current and past team members, as well as customers shopping, dining and creating many lifelong memories and friendship in the store.

“We encourage all customers to keeping sharing their Kmart stories via #kmart50years and we look forward to making new memories together.”

Do you remember the Holly’s cafes in old Kmart stores? Let us know your experience below.

Continue the conversation @RebekahScanlan | [e-mail]