Local business branches south

A TOWNSVILLE couple have expanded their fashion empire, launching a new store in Rockhampton’s city heart.

Damon Chiesa and Christine Mcintosh opened Summerland boutique at the end of October at 99 East Street, next to Swarv Menswear.

The couple also owns Stellar Moda and Summerland in Townsville and another Summerland store in Cairns.

Speaking about the Rocky store, Ms Mcintosh said it had been 18 years of hard work in the making.

“It started in Townsville with a store called Jaxx and then we opened Stellar Moda, we opened a menswear store and that lasted about eight years and we closed that and we have been learning how to make our own clothes for a point of difference,” she said.

In a serendipitous twist of fate, the opening day of the Rockhampton store was on the anniversary of their very first store’s opening.

Expanding to Central Queensland was something that had been on the cards for some years.

A landlord from one of their other stores owns the Rockhampton property and was always trying to persuade them to expand down south.

Eventually, things lined up and Cameron and the team at New Look Renovations CQ completed major renovations to transform the space, which was formerly home to She’s All That, into the boutique.

The couple only had positive things to say about their first week in business in Rockhampton.

“Rockhampton people are so lovely and friendly,” Mr Chiesa said.

The store is deceiving from the front and actually extends quite far back and is stocked with a wide range of clothing.

“We really have tried to do something for all ages and sizes, all budgets,” Ms Mcintosh said.