Why are shoppers so invested in this in-store cafe video?
- Replies 18
It’s nice to reminisce about the good ol’ days, eh? It was a time when things were much simpler.
Perhaps that’s why there has been an influx of nostalgic shoppers calling on Kmart to bring back a once-popular eatery. This comes after a video of the retailer’s iconic cafe surfaced, sending loyal fans into a frenzy.
Kmart customers are begging the retailer to bring back its ‘iconic’ in-store cafes. This comes after a video from TikTok user @australianafarmer went viral, showing rare or little-known photos of Holly’s cafes and prompting an influx of responses from nostalgic shoppers.
In the 80s, 90s, and 00s – long before self-serve checkouts, minimalist décor, and affordable dupes were introduced – Holly’s cafes were a popular feature in Kmart stores across Australia.
Customers would stop by and enjoy a cup of coffee and cake, hot chips with gravy, and jelly cups, before or after their weekly shop.
The video shared a detailed insight into the cafe’s layout, which captured the attention of thousands of viewers.
‘It was made up of four cafeterias and snack corners, depending on the size and location of the particular Kmart store,’ the voiceover said in the clip.
It continued: ‘Holly’s staff were required to wear a different uniform to the Kmart employees.’ It also said that cafe staff wore an apricot shirt and a navy skirt.
A former employee at Holly’s cafe also revealed that staff were paid in the evenings and used the term ‘pay night’ instead of ‘payday’.
Some of its signature dishes included the ‘super burger’, roast beef, toasted sandwiches, chicken nuggets, and milkshakes.
However, starting from the late 1980s, the cafes were consistently shutting their doors, with the last Holly’s cafe at the Horsham store in western Victoria closing on July 25, 2010.
You can watch the video below:
Many Kmart fans flooded the comments section with demands to ‘bring back’ the iconic in-store eateries.
‘I worked at Holly’s, I loved it. So upset when they closed it. BRING BACK HOLLY’S,’ one customer wrote.
‘So many great memories at the Pacific Fair Holly’s. [Does] anyone remember the TV and jingle?’ Another responded.
Another former Kmart staff recalled their experience when Holly’s was still in operation. They said they’d often buy the chips and gravy to take home for lunch before claiming that Holly’s was ‘the best’.
‘Honestly, bring it back,’ someone else shared.
Others suggested that bringing back the classic eatery would introduce more earnings for the retail giant.
‘I think if they reopen the cafes for the 24-hour Kmarts, it would go off. Where else do you go at 1 AM, and you’re bored?’ They suggested before adding that this could even introduce new competition for Macca’s.
Someone else remarked that people needed ‘some cheap places to eat again’.
Said a third: ‘With how popular Kmart has been again for the last few years or so – this cafe would make a killing.’
Someone else asked why retailers stopped putting cafes in stores.
In a similar instance, social media users from Reddit also shared their nostalgic moments and memories in Holly’s cafe.
‘Ah, those were the days. Those chips were a kid’s dream!’ One user wrote while another added: ‘Chicken schnitty chips and gravy, then asking my mum for the milk froth from her cappuccino…’
‘Aww, makes me think of Saturday morning shopping trips with my Nan back in the 80s. Going to Kmart for a new Hot Wheels car and then hotdogs and chips at Holly’s,’ another commented.
Someone else replied: ‘Crumbed Sausages with my grandparents when I was a kid, the best part of the shopping trip. Our local Kmart still has a big lowered part of the ceiling up the back where I assume it’s hiding the range hoods.’ You can read more about this here.
In a previous interview for Kmart’s 50th anniversary, a Kmart spokesperson declined to comment on whether Holly’s cafe will return to stores. However, they did thank shoppers for being a part of the retailer’s journey for five decades.
‘'Holly’s Cafe forms an iconic chapter in our last 50 years with many of our current and past team members, as well as customers shopping, dining and creating many lifelong memories and friendship in the store,’ they stated.
We want to know what you think, too! Should Kmart bring back the popular cafe? Share your opinions in the comments below!
Perhaps that’s why there has been an influx of nostalgic shoppers calling on Kmart to bring back a once-popular eatery. This comes after a video of the retailer’s iconic cafe surfaced, sending loyal fans into a frenzy.
Kmart customers are begging the retailer to bring back its ‘iconic’ in-store cafes. This comes after a video from TikTok user @australianafarmer went viral, showing rare or little-known photos of Holly’s cafes and prompting an influx of responses from nostalgic shoppers.
In the 80s, 90s, and 00s – long before self-serve checkouts, minimalist décor, and affordable dupes were introduced – Holly’s cafes were a popular feature in Kmart stores across Australia.
Customers would stop by and enjoy a cup of coffee and cake, hot chips with gravy, and jelly cups, before or after their weekly shop.
The old photos of Holly’s cafe brought back a wave of nostalgia for shoppers. Credit: Old Shops Australia/Facebook
The video shared a detailed insight into the cafe’s layout, which captured the attention of thousands of viewers.
‘It was made up of four cafeterias and snack corners, depending on the size and location of the particular Kmart store,’ the voiceover said in the clip.
It continued: ‘Holly’s staff were required to wear a different uniform to the Kmart employees.’ It also said that cafe staff wore an apricot shirt and a navy skirt.
A former employee at Holly’s cafe also revealed that staff were paid in the evenings and used the term ‘pay night’ instead of ‘payday’.
Some of its signature dishes included the ‘super burger’, roast beef, toasted sandwiches, chicken nuggets, and milkshakes.
However, starting from the late 1980s, the cafes were consistently shutting their doors, with the last Holly’s cafe at the Horsham store in western Victoria closing on July 25, 2010.
You can watch the video below:
Many Kmart fans flooded the comments section with demands to ‘bring back’ the iconic in-store eateries.
‘I worked at Holly’s, I loved it. So upset when they closed it. BRING BACK HOLLY’S,’ one customer wrote.
‘So many great memories at the Pacific Fair Holly’s. [Does] anyone remember the TV and jingle?’ Another responded.
Another former Kmart staff recalled their experience when Holly’s was still in operation. They said they’d often buy the chips and gravy to take home for lunch before claiming that Holly’s was ‘the best’.
‘Honestly, bring it back,’ someone else shared.
Others suggested that bringing back the classic eatery would introduce more earnings for the retail giant.
‘I think if they reopen the cafes for the 24-hour Kmarts, it would go off. Where else do you go at 1 AM, and you’re bored?’ They suggested before adding that this could even introduce new competition for Macca’s.
Someone else remarked that people needed ‘some cheap places to eat again’.
Said a third: ‘With how popular Kmart has been again for the last few years or so – this cafe would make a killing.’
Someone else asked why retailers stopped putting cafes in stores.
In a similar instance, social media users from Reddit also shared their nostalgic moments and memories in Holly’s cafe.
‘Ah, those were the days. Those chips were a kid’s dream!’ One user wrote while another added: ‘Chicken schnitty chips and gravy, then asking my mum for the milk froth from her cappuccino…’
‘Aww, makes me think of Saturday morning shopping trips with my Nan back in the 80s. Going to Kmart for a new Hot Wheels car and then hotdogs and chips at Holly’s,’ another commented.
Someone else replied: ‘Crumbed Sausages with my grandparents when I was a kid, the best part of the shopping trip. Our local Kmart still has a big lowered part of the ceiling up the back where I assume it’s hiding the range hoods.’ You can read more about this here.
In a previous interview for Kmart’s 50th anniversary, a Kmart spokesperson declined to comment on whether Holly’s cafe will return to stores. However, they did thank shoppers for being a part of the retailer’s journey for five decades.
‘'Holly’s Cafe forms an iconic chapter in our last 50 years with many of our current and past team members, as well as customers shopping, dining and creating many lifelong memories and friendship in the store,’ they stated.
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