Kingston’s long-awaited Spring Farm Village will officially open its doors on Wednesday, May 20, bringing hundreds of jobs, major retailers and a new style of shopping experience to the growing Kingborough community.
Developed by Tipalea Partners, the $60 million precinct on the Channel Highway opposite Bunnings is being described as one of the most technologically advanced and sustainable shopping centres in Hobart.
The 7500-square-metre centre will open with major tenants including Coles, Chemist Warehouse, RACT and Happy Larry Deli, alongside a range of food retailers and specialty stores.
Spring Farm Village manager Belinda Hills said excitement within the community had continued to build ahead of opening day.
“The community response to Spring Farm Village has been remarkable,” Ms Hills said.
“Over 500 locals came to our Jobs Forum in March, keen to secure work within the centre.”
A major drawcard is the new Coles supermarket, the first new Coles store to open in Tasmania since 2022 and the largest in the region.
The 4275-square-metre supermarket includes six Click & Collect bays, an open-front bakery, full-service deli, fresh seafood counter and a strong focus on Tasmanian produce.
The supermarket alone will employ more than 240 staff, including 200 new hires and around 50 junior employees starting their first job.
Coles Spring Farm Village store manager Marcus Jackson said the store had been designed around the needs of local shoppers.
“There’s been a lot of care put into making this store suit the way people live and shop in Kingston and the whole team is looking forward to opening the doors and becoming part of the community,” Mr Jackson said.
Chemist Warehouse will also open its first Kingston store within the precinct, creating more than 20 jobs and bringing its health, beauty and wellness offering to the area for the first time.
RACT’s new store will provide roadside, membership and insurance services, alongside expanded driver training facilities.
Food lovers will have plenty of choice, with retailers including Smash Boy Burgers, Happy Larry Deli, Parthenon Souvlaki Bar, Viva Italia Pizzeria and Hansel & Gretel Bakery all joining the line-up.
Happy Larry Deli owner Vaz Khetarpal said the Kingston location felt like a natural next step for the popular Hobart business.
“We’re not just opening another store, we’re bringing that same energy, quality and obsession with great sandwiches to a whole new pocket of locals,” he said.
The centre includes more than 350 car parks, EV charging stations, free wi-fi, cloud-based CCTV and dedicated bays for seniors, parents and people with disability.
An official ribbon-cutting ceremony and Family Fun Day will be held on Saturday, May 30, featuring free entertainment and more than $40,000 in prizes and giveaways.
