Loyalty might be hard to come by these days, but not in the Ipswich city heart.
For more than 40 years, Bob Slater has been at the heart of the local community and a consistent, caring presence in the mall. Since arriving in Ipswich in 1979 and opening the doors of his first pharmacy on Bell Street, a lot has changed over the years, but Bob’s loyalty to the mall has never swayed.
And now, his son Todd has taken up the mantle.
“Dad’s motto is to always be loyal to those that are loyal to you,” Todd Slater said.
“The mall, and the community here, have been very loyal to us and we in turn will always be loyal to them.”
The Slaters’ residency in the mall has spanned four decades, four shopfront locations, and operated under as many brands, but one thing has remained constant throughout: a commitment to the community they serve.
“There is a strong sense of community in the city heart, we love it. We wanted to be a part of the revitalisation of the CBD so leaving was never an option for us,” he said.
Father and son have been a lot of change over the years, most notably the recent Nicholas Street Precinct and emerging city heart. The Slaters have pivoted their business to adapt as needed, and they’re now seeing a whole new generation of customers exploring the mall.
Image from Picture Ipswich: Staff in Nolan’s Pharmacy, corner of Brisbane and Nicholas Streets, Ipswich, 1955
Image from Picture Ipswich: Nolan’s Corner, corner of Brisbane and Nicholas Streets, Ipswich, c.1970
While the Slaters are a modern-day institution, they’re not the first family pharmacy to be synonymous with Nicholas Street.
Gerald Nolan opened Nolan’s Pharmacy on the corner of Brisbane and Nicholas streets in 1924. A part of the CBD for decades, it was known throughout Ipswich as ‘Nolan’s Corner’ for most of the 20th century. Remnants of the Nolan Pharmacy era remain a century later, with ‘Nolans 1925’ still visible on the building’s facade.
In 1925, Nolan’s Pharmacy sold perfumes, patent medicines, prescription drugs, bathing caps, motorist goggles, and even Golden Casket tickets. They also performed same day photographic development services, and later would be the local agent for Trans Australia Airlines.
A century later, Terry White Chemmart offers a strong dispensary, a full makeup counter, extensive range of vitamins, a flu clinic and more.
“Our range has shifted to suit the new wave of customers coming to the precinct, with essentials available for young and old,” Todd said.
“With the different events and activities happening in Tulmur Place all the time, we make sure we have something to suit when visitors drop in while they’re visiting the precinct.
“With Christmas coming up, I am looking forward to seeing where our elf on the shelf will pop up each day throughout the festive season.”
You’ll find Terry White Chemmart on the corner of Union Place and Nicholas Street, open 6 days a week.