Harris Farm expands to Queensland

21st September 2020 | Eativity editors

In great news for local produce fans and food producers, family-owned Harris Farm Markets will be opening two stores in Brisbane, beginning with Clayfield in December before opening the flagship store at West Village in West End in May next year.

Queensland is the first state for the NSW-based business to expand into, and there’s a reason. The state has a history with Harris Farm Markets. In November, Harris Farm Markets will open at the site of the current Clayfield Markets on Sandgate Road, home to an outstanding fruit and vegetable offering for 25 years, which is run by much-loved local produce experts, Carlo and Susan Lorenti. It’s this site that holds the history.

“We are incredibly excited to be opening at this site because Harris Farm used to own it 30 years ago, before handing it over to Carlo and Susan,” says Harris Farm Markets co-CEO Tristan Harris, one of the three Harris sons who now run the company after their parents, David and Cathy Harris, retired. “It’s a full-circle story and we are thrilled that Carlo and Susan are staying on as our managers at Clayfield, along with as many staff as possible.”

Co-CEO of Harris Farm Markets, Tristan Harris, in the Imperfect Picks section of Harris Farm Markets
Co-CEO of Harris Farm Markets, Tristan Harris, in the Imperfect Picks section of Harris Farm Markets.

The best of the state

The two Brisbane stores will offer produce from more than 300 Queensland growers and producers. You can find organic milk from Barambah, My Berries from Caboolture, Brisbane’s Roza’s Gourmet sauces and organic chicken from Hobbs Family Farms in Pittsworth. In addition, the two stores combined will employ more than 200 staff. This will bring a welcome injection to the local economy.

“The Clayfield store will be home to the best in fruit and vegetables, including a tomato shed, organic produce section and a leaderboard of Queensland strawberries and mangoes,” Harris says. “There’s also a gourmet grocery section of boutique local products, an extensive deli, more than 200 cheeses, a bakery section with the best breads from sourdough to brioche, and a premium meat selection

“It will be a flavour-filled showcase of Queensland and Australian produce under one roof. We can’t wait to open in a city that values their fresh fruit, vegetables and food stories so highly. Queensland is famed for the richness and range of produce grown across the state. To be able to work with so many wonderful producers is one of our dreams.”

Harris Farm expands to Queensland
Did somebody say cheeeese?

West End wonders

The Clayfield store will undergo a rebuild and redesign before opening in mid-December as Harris Farm Markets Clayfield. In May next year, the flagship Harris Farm Markets will open in the West Village development at West End. Harris Farm Markets will take over part of the Peters Ice Cream building. This was built in the 1920s by US migrant Fred Peters.

“The warehouse space is nothing short of extraordinary,” Harris says. “It will allow us to build our flagship Queensland Harris Farm Markets store, with great local fruit, vegetables and gourmet groceries. There are also some local concession partnerships we’re really excited about. Opening in West Village, one of the most exciting urban developments we’ve ever seen, is a fantastic opportunity. Particularly given the history of fresh fruit and vegetable markets in the West End peninsula.”

For more on Harris Farm Markets, head to the website.