There’s been a bit going on in Toowoomba lately. Here’s a round up of openings and launches and new stuff you might want to know.
Grand Central
Grand Central continues to roll out openings. These stores joined Grand Central in April and May:
- The Coffee Emporium
- Connor
- ITShop
- Noodle Hut
- Jamaica Blue (a second store)
- Crown Currency
The paid ticketless parking system came online on 14 June, and you can visit grandcentralshopping.com.au to register your number plate or find out more about the arrangement.
So far in June we’ve had another four stores open in GC. They are:
- Dymocks – the book store
- CeX Entertainment – games and technology
- Fours Day Spa
- Keep in Touch Health Therapies Centre (and they’re offering some pretty good opening specials on foot baths, reflexology and massage, like a 60 minute detox foot bath and reflexology for $39, save $31).
Openings and launches
In May Absolute Grill opened up in the Bell Street Mall. All about the BBQ, this is an all you can eat feasting place with a twist – you cook your dish over the embedded BBQs on the table. If your meat’s not cooked how you like it the only person to blame is yourself! Check them out on Facebook and online.
In June Ice ‘n’ Spice opened up a second takeaway store in the High Street Shopping Centre.
Dine Darling Downs launched their luxury food and wine tours! This progressive dining experience includes getting chauffeured around in a Peter’s 16 seat stretch hummer, starting with a wine tasting and platter from Preston Peak, lunch at the iconic Gip’s and dessert at Picnic Point. A sweet way to experience Toowoomba for locals and visitors alike, contact Peter’s Coaches on 1300 602 902 to book.
The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers launched their program of events this year. As usual the Ergon Energy Food and Wine Festival looks like the place to be, with acts like The Temper Trap, Alex Lahey, The Angels and Daryl Braithwaite. There’s a gala dinner under the stars in Laurel Bank Park and progressive food and wine tours. Find out more at tcof.com.au
The new tourism body Tourism Darling Downs launched with a pretty awesome event out at the Wellcamp Airport that included yum local food and wines. Head to visitdarlingdowns.com.au to keep up with what’s going on in that space.
And if you’ve been walking down Ruthven Street recently and seen the ‘Toowoomba this is your space’ signs and wondered what was going on – the CUA Community Hub is now officially open. The first community shared space by a bank, the CUA Community Hub in the Walton Stores Precinct includes a large central area, two private meeting rooms and a showcase area. You can use it for events or meetings – for free. But you have to book – so drop in to 470 Ruthven Street to find out more.
Community members attending launch of CUA Hub (photo courtesy of CUA)
Local makeup store Luminosa launched their Foundation Bar – totally custom foundation blends made for you, using vegan, natural products.
Freedom Furniture is making a comeback, expected to reopen around mid July. And Mountain Designs is back too – now open at 487-489 Ruthven Street.
Closures
Unfortunately there’s been some bad news too.
The Shingle Inn closed very suddenly earlier this month and Phat Burgers [EDIT June 2018 this store remains open and the Northpoint store closed] looks like will be closing its CBD store in September. The Grand Central Coffee Club has closed this month too, but the Margaret Street store remains open.
The big news this week has been the fire that demolished Amigos Bar and Grill and the Adrenalin Climbing Gym – a devastating event for the business owners affected.
Transport
And finally, the new Toowoomba bus network will launch tomorrow (Monday 19 June) with expanded coverage, Sunday services on some routes and more frequent trips to popular areas. Find out more on translink.com.au
Feature photo is at the Tourism Darling Downs launch – Flare Specialty Produce grew the flowers and Bonjour Boulangerie made the treat.
Please note this article is a summary and based on information available at the time of publishing.
