In 10 years time, Beenleigh will look vastly different.
The courthouse will be moved, the town centre will be buzzing, and trains will be faster – according to our governments.
But to get there, one of Logan East’s most tight-knit communities will be waving goodbye to several historic landmarks, with the Imperial Hotel and Beenleigh Butchery being resumed to make way for the Faster Rail project.
Both businesses are believed to be the oldest of their kind still standing in the city.
Last drinks at the Imperial will be called on 5 September, while shoppers have only until the second of this month to buy the famous ham and bacon from Beenleigh Butchery.
Imperial venue manager Heaven Littlejohn said there was “a lot of history” at the pub, which is 139 years old.
“It’s a lot to take in,” she said.
“There’s a whole heap of businesses there that have had to vacate some of them have relocated.
“Some of them haven’t because they just, they don’t have anywhere to go, and they just had to pretty much close up shop, which is really sad, because some of those businesses have been around for a really long time.”
But Beenleigh Butchery, which opened in 1898, is not one of them. Owners Brett and Donna Brooks have decided not to continue the business at another location.
While sad for their customers, the couple is looking forward to a long overdue break.
“We have served generations of customers… One person has been a customer for 39 years,” Mr Brooks said.
Mr Brooks has worked at the store since 1986, when it was still owned by the original families, the Ottos and Veivers.
Since then he has seen a lot change – including two other investor owners – before he purchased the business in 2006.
While Transport and Main Roads offered the Brooks the chance to relocate, Mr Brooks said it just wasn’t financially viable.
“Also, I’m 60. After you’ve worked 40 years in one place, you don’t really want to.
“We always worked really hard – I’ve worked no less than 50 hours a week since I was about 15.
“Donna and I have never had longer than two weeks off at one time in 33 years.
“So we want to start living a little life.”
Mr Brooks is looking forward to retirement, but admitted he will struggle to sit still.
“My wife has already said I’m going to drive her nuts.”
The Imperial first opened in 1885. While ownership has changed hands many times over the years, the pub’s iconic front facade has remained the same.
“Everyone knows the Imperial,” Ms Littlejohn said.
“A lot has happened over the years that I’ve been here, and… there are some really cool stories [about the pub] from people who have drank here for a really long time.”
On the final day of trading, the Imperial will be sent off with a lineup of entertainment and activities including a barbecue, pool and card games.
Ms Littlejohn said she hoped Imperial patrons would share stories and photos of the pub through the years.
“It’s gonna be a big day with a lot of happy and a lot of sad,” she said. “There’s not much we can do about it, so just give the pub a good send off.”
