QIC and the Pacific Group of Companies are pleased to showcase the highly anticipated launch of the reimagined Hunter & Gatherer food precinct at Pacific Epping—a marketplace designed to celebrate its community’s deep connection to food and family. Following a significant 12-month refurbishment, the precinct will offer Epping’s multicultural community a dynamic range of fresh produce purveyors as well as dine-in venues. 

Approximately 20 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, Pacific Epping serves one of the city’s most rapidly expanding catchments and has been a mainstay of local life since 1996. With nearly half of Epping’s residents born overseas and many living in multigenerational households, food plays a vital role in the community’s daily routine, serving as both a ritual and a way to express cultural heritage.

The redevelopment project showcases the power of adaptive reuse by retaining the original roof structure and incorporating expansive glazing, which allows natural light to flood the space and creates a bright, welcoming environment. Inspired by traditional open-air markets, the design features a series of retail pavilions under a shared canopy, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor elements and enhanced by live greenery to create a vibrant and distinctive retail experience that encourages customers to linger and engage.

A next-generation Woolworths store with significantly expanded direct-to-boot facilities has rejoined the centre alongside its Coles and Aldi supermarkets, supported by an additional 300 car spaces. Coles has also introduced new click-and-collect services. Over twenty fresh food concepts have been selected to reflect the diverse customer base and create a powerhouse of fresh and fast casual dining operators within the Hunter & Gatherer precinct. Leading Queensland Asian supermarket Hanaromart has introduced its first-ever Melbourne store alongside local champions and national brands.  

Longtime collaborator and home-grown Australian success story Sacca’s Fine Foods has developed a new large-format experience that showcases an inline retail concept alongside an expansive dedicated trade-out zone. The space also integrates an outdoor weather-protected seating area for overflow of cafe patrons. 

“Hunter & Gatherer is more than just a shopping destination—it’s been designed as a vibrant community hub where people of all ages are invited to shop, dine and connect,” says General Manager—Leasing, Luke Young. “We are proud to introduce a refreshed retail mix that combines handpicked independent retailers with much-loved franchises, local favourites and new-to-market retailers—reflecting the unique tastes of Epping’s culturally diverse community.”

The reimagined Hunter & Gatherer follows the success of similar marketplace developments at Watergardens and Castle Towers in recent years.