Kmart shoppers call on retailer Kmart to bring back its iconic Holly’s in-store cafe

Long before it’s self-serve checkouts, affordable products and chic homeware range, shoppers walked down a very different aisle at Kmart.

Anyone growing up in the 80s or 90s will fondly remember the iconic Holly’s cafe located inside every Kmart store around Australia.

The retailer chain allowed its customers to take a break from shopping and enjoy scones with jam and cream, chips and gravy, meat pies, burgers, sandwiches, milkshake and tea at its in-store restaurants.

But from the late 1980s, the cafes progressively shut its doors, with the last Holly’s at the Horsham store in western Victoria closing down in June 2010. 

The retailer chain allowed its customers to take a break from shopping and enjoy meals at its in-store cafes across the country

‘Hollys Café 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,’ a Kmart spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

‘This month we celebrate 50 years of Kmart and wish to sincerely thank the entire community for being part of this incredible journey. 

‘We encourage all customers to keeping sharing their Kmart stories via #kmart50years and we look forward to making new memories together.’ 

As the retailer celebrates its 50th birthday this week, customers are now calling on the discount chain to bring back the diner.

‘As a mum, I have heard numerous wishes for Kmart to have a cafe in-store. It will keep husbands busy, children fed and entertained and us in the store longer,’ one fan said.

‘There have been countless times I have had to leave due to HANGRY children and I am sure many are in the same boat.’

Another person said: ‘When people mentioning cafes say whaaattt. I feel like I’m missing out bring them back.’

‘Bring back the cafes! They were awesome!’ another shopper said. 

As the retailer celebrates its 50th birthday this week, customers are now calling on the discount chain to bring back the diner

As Australians take a trip down memory lane, Kmart shared a series of nostalgic pictures of what the stores once looked like

And another said: ‘Thursday night shopping with my mum and nan and dinner at the cafe inside.’

Many people spoke fondly about their favourite food they ordered from the menu, including the chips and gravy, crinkle cut fries and toasties.

‘Who remembers the diner in Kmart. I remember the burgers and the little Aussie flag they would put on top. Great childhood memories for me,’ one said.

Another said: ‘I used to love their beer battered fish with a ton of tartar sauce.’

One shopper recalled: ‘I remember going there for a “Toasted Supreme”, basically a ham and cheese toastie.’

And another said: ‘Ate lunch here many times as a kid, will never forget the little fire engine – box for burger meal or the boat one for the fish and chips and they had fancy desserts with jelly and custard.’

Dating back 50 years, the vintage photographs offer history buffs a glimpse into the retailer’s incredible transformation – and it’s enough to make you nostalgic for years gone by

Grand opening! The retailer opened its first store in 1969 – and my, how times have changed

As Australians take a trip down memory lane, Kmart shared a series of nostalgic pictures of what the stores once looked like.

Dating back 50 years, vintage photographs offer history buffs a glimpse into the retailer’s incredible transformation – and it’s enough to make you nostalgic for years gone by.

And my, how times have changed.