Target Country has finally opened, and whether you're for it or against it, it's a good sign that consumer and investor confidence in Port Douglas is growing.

Port Douglas's new $650,000 Target Country store opened last Thursday 9 September 2010.  Located in the Port Village Shopping Centre on Macrossan Street, the 1000 square metre store will feature Target Country’s popular fashion ranges including Hot Options, City Dressing, Maxx, Mr Big and Piping Hot.

Store Manager Mary-Anne Argent said her team have been counting down the days until they could welcome their first customers.  "We've been working very hard to get the store ready and I think our customers will be excited when they see what a great  offer we have right here in Port Douglas," she said.

“As well as a large range of Target Country’s on-trend clothing and fashionable homewares, there will be a selected range of electrical appliances, DVDs, interactive games and toys.”

“Port Douglas residents no longer have to travel over an hour to the nearest store in Cairns to access our great value, great quality range.”

After a quick straw poll over the first weekend after the opening, there appears to many more positive opinions than negative about the effect of such a major store opening in Port Douglas.

On one hand we heard from one resident who did not want to be named, who said it is the beginning of the end for the small town's character.   "I think it will open the door for more and more franchises to come into town. We don't want to lose what makes Port Douglas special, and that's what big business does to places like this."

But the vast majority of opinions voiced matched Michael's, a customer on the first day of trading, who agreed with the new Target Manager, saying "I think it'll bring benefits to Port, extra jobs, extra money into town, and it'll save a few trips to Cairns."

Ms Argent has a support team of 15 local members of staff.  “Everyone has undergone training in customer service, layby, returns, registers, merchandising and receiving stock,” she said.

Mary-Ann Argent reminds Port Douglas residents that plastic shopping bags are no longer offered to customers at Target or Target Country checkouts.  "We encourage customers to bring their own reusable bag when they visit our new store.  If they do forget or find they need a bag, Target will have a range of single use compostable bags and reusable red bags available for purchase," she said.

All profits from the sale of the reusable red bags go to support The Alannah and Madeline Foundation Buddy Bags Program, a charity for Target and Target Country raised $609,526 through last year which provided 5,000 bags to assist children in need.

The store has an easy to navigate square layout and it has been fitted with the latest in Target Country store design including white vinyl tiles, timber-look flooring, wide aisles and bright, fun directional and department signage.

Trading hours are 8.30am to 5.30pm Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8.30am to 9pm on Thursdays, 8.30am to 5.00pm on Saturdays and 9am to 4pm on Sundays.