People flock to Dan's new opening

Bargain beer: Melinda Armstrong browses the beer range at the new Dan Murphy’s in Rockhampton yesterday.

MEGAN LEWIS Ml--

ROCKHAMPTON’S Melinda Armstrong was like a child in a candy store as she walked through one of Australia’s biggest liquor chains yesterday.

It may have been its soft opening, but more than 100 people flocked in to be the first to see what’s in store at the new Dan Murphy’s in Rockhampton.

And while Melinda picked out a mix of beer, wine and spirits, and left with more money in her pocket, store manager Tim Harrison said the real bargains would be during the grand opening today.

Although he couldn’t disclose any prices, he said shoppers would be in for a treat.

And with more than 12 aisles of wine from all over the country and international labels, along with almost every type of beer and liquor you can think of, Melinda said it was hard to resist the temptation.

“I’m a vodka girl, but I do love a good beer,” the 37-year-old said as she scanned the rows of alcoholic drinks.

Melinda said she was pretty impressed with the new store, which is one of the biggest Dan Murphy’s in Queensland, but said it wasn’t her first time.

“We used to live in Brisbane, so we’re glad to have one here and it’s only a five-minute walk from where we live,” the mother-of-three said.

Melinda hoped to save between $5 to $10 yesterday.

“We will grab a bit of everything. Jack Daniels, some Wild Turkey and beer,” she said.

About 20 staff members, including a fine-wine specialist, are employed at Dan Murphy’s in Rockhampton.

Over the past couple of weeks, Mr Harrison and his team have been run off their feet to pack more than 4000 products on the shelves of the 1100sq m premises at Allenstown.

Mr Harrison moved to Rockhampton from Hervey Bay with his wife and two children a few weeks ago after being offered a promotion with the company.

Dan Murphy’s originated in 1878 and there are now 26 stores in Queensland and more than 100 across the nation.