About Imbil Friendly Grocer & Newsagency

The new look "Imbil Friendly Grocer" is keeping up with the changing times and needs of its loyal Mary Valley customers. The biggest change is the name - from the Imbil Four Square to the Imbil Friendly Grocer. Owners Chris and Glenda Vassallo have introduced a more competitive product range and pricing, the latest in front counter and back office merchandising technology as well as the new signage and paintwork associated with the Friendly Grocer brand.

"We will work more closely with IGA-D than ever before (IGA-D are the main supplier of the IGA supermarket group)," Chris said. "With all pricing and products, if it is in the supermarket industry we can get it as long as we have room."

The Imbil Store in Yabba Road was first established in 1915 by the Moynehan family to service the Mary Valley community in groceries, haberdashery, stock feed and stationery. "You name it, old man Moynehan would introduce it or sell it, being the first to have it or sell it in the Mary Valley," Chris said. " Also, if you couldn't get it in Gympie, you would say 'Moynehan's out in the Valley would have it'."

Moynehan's Store circa 1935

Chris and Glenda are no different to the Moynehan's in that they have introduced more grocery products, competitive prices, eftpos, an ATM and food specials, and if they don't have it, they will try to get it in for customers. "Our Motto is Help Us to Help You by Telling Us Your Needs," said Chris. "Many generations of people have passed through and still do shopping and even working here," he said.

The people and businesses along Yabba Road and in Imbil have changed dramatically since 1915. The store was once surrounded by huge logging yards, blacksmiths, fettlers, railway station hands and bullockies. Today, the forestry near Imbil is Australia's biggest producer of hoop pine, which is run by forestry, harvested by contractors and milled by the nearby Hyne and Sons sawmill.

Imbil provides one of the greatest areas for outdoor sports including one of Australia's biggest equestrian rides, stages of the Australian Car Rally Championship, fishing competitions held at Borumba Dam, off road 4x4 enthusiast, motorbike riders, bird watching, camping, waterskiing (just to name a few events or things to do) plus The Mary Valley Show held in August each year.