End comes for big guy
ONE of Australia last remaining Loot stores in Townsville is closing as the market for the Balinese- themed homewares outlet was unable to sustain the business.
The store’s operators, Glen Windsham and Milton Graham, have announced a 40 per cent stock- wide closing down sale which includes their much- loved gorilla statue Sabato.
“Loot has been in Townsville since the 1990s. It’s the end of an era,” Mr Windsham said.
He said at one time there were three Loot stores in the city and more than 50 Australia- wide but now, like the gorilla, they are an endangered species.
“It’s the local economy. The bricks and mortar stores are very hard ( to sustain),” Mr Windsham said.
“Unless you have money behind you, it’s hard to survive these days.”
The store acquired the 5m high fibreglass gorilla after Mr Graham was moved by the film Gorillas in the Mist and began donating to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
The gorilla is a much- loved feature of the store, particularly with children, and has raised many thousands of dollars for the fund over the years.
Mr Graham said the gorilla, like all the stock and shelving at the Idalia store, was being marked down for sale.
“If I don’t sell him, I will take him home,” Mr Graham said.