Porters Says Goodbye To Iconic Brisbane Street Location

Porters Mackay, a key player in the building industry for 141 years, is embarking on a major transition with plans for a custom-built trade centre in Paget. This multi-million-dollar facility will consolidate several operations and streamline services for trade customers, marking a significant shift in the company’s presence in the region.
As part of this evolution, Porters will also bid farewell to its iconic Brisbane Street retail store and café, which have been central to the business since 1930. The store will close its doors by the end of February, reflecting the company’s move toward a more trade-focused operation.
Gavin Porter, Director of the Porter's Group and a fifth-generation member of the Porter family, made the announcement via the business’ social media channels, where he said the new Paget Trade Centre is expected to open in 2026.
As part of this transition, the company’s three Carlisle Street outlets—Porter’s Mackay Trade Centre, Inspirations Paint, and Plumbing Plus—will relocate their operations to Paget upon the completion of the new centre. In the meantime, these outlets will continue to trade as normal.
“These operations are really more industrial businesses, and moving them out of the city centre and into Paget reduces the need for heavy delivery trucks and trading vehicles to compete for space in the CBD with everybody else,” Mr Porter explained.
The facility will complement existing manufacturing operations in Glenella, which produce trusses, timber house frames, and glass aluminium products, underscoring the company’s strong focus on trade.
However, the move also involves closing the Brisbane Street retail store and Charlie’s Cafe by the end of February.
The Brisbane Street site, which has been part of the company since 1930, holds a deep personal significance.
“It’s a place my dad, uncles, and then my cousins and I played in as kids. Saying goodbye to a site the company’s occupied for almost 100 years is a really big step,” Mr Porter said.
Porters has been consulting closely with affected employees, many of whom have been long-term contributors to the company’s success.
“We have a number of affected team members within our Brisbane Street retail store who may not be able to be redeployed once trading ceases. Sadly, they will leave the company,” he said.
As a family-run business, Porters is handling the transition with care.
“We are consulting actively with the affected employees to make the transitions as respectful and compassionate as possible.
“We have HR and employee assistance professionals on hand to individually support people,” Mr Porter said.
Looking ahead, the company remains focused on its evolution and its commitment to Mackay and the building trade.
“All of our other outlets across the region will remain open and will continue to trade usually, providing the same service our customers have come to expect.
“This is just another part of Porter’s 141-year evolution alongside Mackay.”

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Porters' Brisbane Street, a familiar sight in Mackay since 1930, prepares for its final chapter as the store and café close their doors this February. Photo supplied

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