Staff at the Community Home and Hardware in Bamaga celebrate the store’s first sale on 18 November. Photo: Supplied.
Supermarket operator Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) says the opening of its new hardware and homeware shop in the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) is the start of a plan to “redefine retail” for residents of the remotest parts of the state.
CEQ opened the doors of its Community Home and Hardware (CHH) store in Bamaga on 18 November, which is located next to its IBIS supermarket.
By leveraging the buying power of leading groups like Mitre 10, Sportspower and Betta Home Living, CEQ said it was able to offer locals and nearby remote communities access to a wide range of products at affordable prices.
The range will include hardware, outdoor and sporting goods, furniture, whitegoods and electrical appliances, however, one NPA resident, who asked not to be named, told Cape York Weekly they had been “sadly disappointed” by the lack of hardware on the shelves.
“I went in to see what hardware they were stocking and there was none – not a screw or bolt, nothing,” they said.
“There’s homewares, camping and tourist stuff, but no hardware.”
CEQ chief executive officer Michael Dykes said CHH Bamaga would act as a concept store to enhance the remote retail experience.
“This new store is a testament to our commitment to supporting remote communities,” he said.
“By utilising our partnerships and buying power, we can offer a diverse range of products at competitive prices, reducing the costs typically associated with shipping goods to Cape York.
“We want local trades doing the deliveries, local trades building the furniture, and local people working in the store, with six new jobs already created for the store opening.
“This store is part of our broader vision to redefine retail in remote Queensland.”
