IT’S A TENT CITY NOW
THE building that previously housed Gold’s Gym is set to be given a new lease of life with a business paying more than $ 3 million for the building.
Tentworld, a regional Queensland family- owned business has bought the 2380sq m building at 143- 151 Dalrymple Rd in Garbutt to house their first Townsville store. The camping equipment and hiking gear store plan to open on July 1 and will bring brands not currently available in Townsville. Tentworld general manager Jon Burrell said they had tried to open in Townsville seven years ago but the property deal fell through.
“We’re a Queensland- based business and Townsville has always been on our dream list of places to go to,” he said.
“We know Townsville has a strong camping community and we already have an online following from Townsville.
“When this building came up it was a good opportunity and the exposure to the main road and lots of parking were big drawcards.”
The store will initially em- ploy a team of 10 with plans to create more jobs as it becomes established. Tentworld will offer expansive product lines of well known brands such as OzTrail, while camping supply brands with cult followings such as Zempire will also be stocked.
The Dalrymple Rd building which was once home to The Good Guys had been vacant for several years after Gold’s Gym closed. The fitness business was only open for a short time before a legal stoush with the landlord resulted in the gym closing permanently.
Knight Frank agency director Paul Dury, who negotiated the sale along with Knight Frank agent Mark Fitzgerald, said it was great to see a new business opening in the previously unused building.
“Tentworld will shake up the camping and outdoor retail space and will be a direct competitor to the likes of BCF, Freddy’s and Anaconda,” he said.
“If the Townsville community are looking for an indicator that the market and economy is on the improve, there is no better example than a new business coming to Townsville.”