New Mackay convenience store Greenie’s, Your Grocer suffers first break in

Staff at a Mackay convenience store arrived to work early in the morning to find their glass door in pieces. They weren’t even open for two months.

A family owned convenience store has suffered its first break in just six weeks after opening its doors to the public.

Greenie’s, Your Grocer officially opened in 2025 after a December soft-launch promising American lollies, fresh sandwiches and everyday groceries, officially opening in 2025.

But six weeks into the new year thieves had broken down a door to their store, with staff arriving to find shattered glass on Monday, February 18.

On February 18 staff from the new convenience store arrived to find the store broken into and their door shattered to pieces.

Greenie’s shared a photo of the break-in to Facebook asking “how can a small business get a break?”

“Six weeks in, first break (smash) and enter,” they said.

Owner Matt Stiles said the break-in was absolutely devastating.

Greenie’s, Your Grocer owner Matt Stiles said they were a small family business taking a chance on starting a convenience store.

“The community needs us in the area,” Mr Stiles said.

“A break and enter hurts any business and especially a new business.”

Mr Stiles said he is a support worker, works five jobs, employs more than 15 staff, and offers discounts and support to the Mackay disability sector.

“The theft aside, to see your staff in tears after finding the damage … absolutely devastating,” Mr Stiles said.

Mr Stiles soft launched the business in December promising fresh sandwiches and American lollies.

Greenie’s is arranging fresh vegetable and fruit supplies to stock and Mr Stiles said his prices were in line with supermarkets, “unlike other convenience stores”.

Police released this image in their appeal to the public for information about the break in. Photo: Queensland Police Service

Queensland Police Service said between 10am on February 17 and 6am on February 18 unlawful entry was gained to the business on Grandview Dr, with the intruders searching the complex.

Police said nothing has been confirmed stolen “at this stage”.

Mr Stiles said Hiviz Glass, a Mackay glazier, had the glass replaced in less than three hours.

The Mackay Whitsunday district reported 137 unlawful entry instances in January 2025, up from 118 in January 2024, QPS statistics reveal.

Then-candidate and now Mackay MP Nigel Dalton Mackay in October stood up in IGA North Mackay to point to failings in crime prevention across Queensland.

“What we’re constantly seeing is that there are no consequences for the actions of the people who are stealing,” Mr Dalton said at the time.

The Daily Mercury contacted Mr Dalton, a former Mackay police officer to ask when the LNP government policies are expected to reduce crime, and when the promised $40m ‘Secure Communities Partnership Program’ will be put in place under the Crisafulli government.
A spokeswoman from his office from his office said they were “appalled by what occurred at this family-run store in Mount Pleasant, particularly so soon after its opening”.

“The Crisafulli Government promised Queenslanders action to turn the tide on Labor’s crime crisis, and this is already underway with the first tranche of the Making Queensland Safer laws,” the spokeswoman said.

“Unravelling a decade of weak laws is a process, which is why we’ve been clear further offences will be introduced to the Making Queensland Safer laws on the recommendation of the recently appointed Expert Legal Panel.”Steve Minnikin, minister for small and family business, said the government is finalising the Secure Communities program, which includes four rounds of $10m grants for businesses to boost their security.

“The Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business (CDSB) is currently working with other Queensland Government departments to finalise design of the program with a view to it being open as soon as possible,” Mr Minnikin said.

Originally published as New Mackay convenience store Greenie’s, Your Grocer suffers first break in