Cairns discount retailer closes after 16 years

As Cairns prepares for a welcome influx of international tourists, one discount souvenir business has closed, but its owner is already looking to open more stores in FNQ.

AFTER 16 years of trading in the Cairns CBD, a discount souvenir store will close its door on Monday.

But according to the Global Brands Outlet retail owner, Silly Solly’s Managing Director Steve Watchman, it’s not all doom and gloom.

Mr Watchman, 49, said a “change of business model” was behind the decision.

“I opened the store 16 years ago and we sold souvenirs and catered to holiday-makers and tourists,” he said.

“A couple of years ago I was going to sell it, then Covid came along.

“There was a lack of foot traffic along Lake St and we changed the business model a little and so we waited until the end of the lease and our last day is Monday 28 February.”

Mr Watchman said it took the business through a planned wind-down.

“We have moved some staff over to the showgrounds store and some have moved on to do something else,” he said.

“The last couple of years the business had the brakes on a bit due to Covid.”

However, Mr Watchman said Silly Solly’s business remained robust, and confirmed he is hoping to secure more retail sites in Far North Queensland.

“We have 35 stores nationally and I would like to be able to open in Atherton, Mareeba and Smithfield,” he said.

“We have people keen to take up a Silly Solly’s franchise.

“And then we’d like to open more stores south of Cairns, plugging the gaps in key towns where we don't have a toehold along the Queensland east coast.”

Originally published as Cairns discount retailer closes after 16 years