Woolworths

Woolworths opened in Ipswich on Wednesday 28 November 1929, opposite the town hall in Brisbane Street, next door to Preddey's jewllery shop. This store was the first regional store and only the third Woolworths store to open in Queensland in just over 2 years. This Woolworths was fashioned along the lines of a " variety store" which was then a new retailing concept.

Woolworths commenced trading from 133 Brisbane Street in a shop that was recently occupied by  A. D. Crichton.   A. E. Preddey owned the building and would continue to be the landlord for many years. Woolworths traded from this location, with some extensions and alterations, for nearly 60 years. As a variety store they sold sweets, stationery, cutlery, kitchenware, china & glassware, toys, hardware, drapery, perfumes, hosiery & gloves, fancy goods, and menswear. In the beginning there was 30 uniform-wearing staff and shopping was conducted to music broadcast via phonograph and amplifier. It was the start of a new way to shop. 

The business was immediately popular. Within 5 years (1934) they were in need of larger premises so a double storey brick extension was added at the back of the shop. For the extension, George Brockwell Gill was the architect, and H. Wildey was building contractor. At this time, J. C. Minnis the chemist and J. P. O'Dea tobacconist shared the building with Woolworths. Rawlings were neighbours. In 1941 Woolworths expanded into the tobacco shop area. 

The building housing Woolworths shop had originally been erected about 1860, divided into 2 sections. A large arched gateway divided the 2 sections. This was known locally as "the Hole in the Wall." One section had originally been the Hall of Commerce, a boot & shoe shop. The other section had originally been a drapery known as Bowen House owned by Samuel Paris, which was situated next to the Bank of Australasia.  Martin Byrne was the original owner of the building which adjoined London Tavern.

In years gone by Woolworths' premises had been occupied by E. W. Hargreaves' tinsmith shop (in the House of Commerce section), and the Post Office Hotel (in the Bowen House section). Other tenants were: R. L. Mearns' dental establishment, H. Spiro's Commercial Stores, and J. C. Allen's chemist shop which later became Minnis'.

In the 1980s the variety store concept had become out-moded and Woolworths had turned to large supermarkets. In 1984 the shop was offered for lease but it was not until a bit later that the premises were vacated following Reids fire in August 1985, and CBD redevelopment in 1986-1987.  Reids was located only a couple of doors from Woolworths Variety. 

After Woolworths moved, the store would be occupied by Crazy Clark's and Dimmeys. Tivity is the current tenant in 2023.

In November 1988 Woolworths Supermarket opened at the northern end of the new mall approximately where T. C. Beirne's had stood previously. Then on 1 January 2017 this store closed for development of the Nicholas Street Precinct and Tulmur Place. Since opening in mid 2021 the Ipswich City Council administration building has stood in that spot.

As of 2023, Woolworths' Ipswich stores are located at: 

• Booval Fair
• Brassall Shopping Centre
• Brookwater Village Shopping Centre
• Collingwood Park Shopping Centre
• Ipswich Riverlink
• Karalee Shopping Village
• Mountview Shopping Centre, Redbank Plains
• Springfield Shopping Centre
• St Ives, Goodna
• Town Square, Redbank Plains
• Yamanto Central