Thomas Dux Grocer, also known as Thomas Dux, was an Australian chain of gourmet grocery stores operated by Woolworths from 2008 to 2017.
It sold a range of local and imported fresh foods and grocery items. Products included fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy products, artisan-style baked breads, oils and vinegars, pasta and sauces, condiments, prepared meals, chocolate products, fresh meat and fresh flowers. Thomas Dux specialised in organic, gluten-free, preservative-free and free-range foods. Local boutique suppliers included Saskia Beer, Maggie Beer, Simmone Logue, Herbies, Ornella, Phillippa's, Rowie's, Brasserie Bread, Irrewarra and Geoff Jansz. Fruit and vegetables were sourced directly from the wholesale markets in Sydney and Melbourne on a daily basis.
History Woolworths launched Thomas Dux, an upmarket grocery store, in April 2008 with the first store in the Sydney suburb of Lane Cove followed by another in Paddington.Woolworths open first Thomas Dux store Australian Food News 24 April 2008
In May 2009, Woolworths announced the acquisition of eight boutique grocery store leases in Crows Nest, Hornsby and Mona Vale in Sydney, and Armadale, Black Rock, Glen Waverley, Port Melbourne and Richmond in Melbourne from Macro Wholefoods, with the intention to rebadge the stores under the Thomas Dux brand. Woolworths 13 May 2009ACCC not to oppose Woolworths' proposed acquisition of Macro Wholefoods Australian Competition & Consumer Commission 17 June 2009 The first of the rebadged stores opened in August 2009.
From 2014, Woolworths started closing some stores, with speculation that the entire chain would be sold or closed.
In September 2014, Woolworths closed the Thomas Dux store in Surry Hills. The lease on the store was sold to About Life, a Sydney-based gourmet grocer. The Surry Hills store was the first of four leases Woolworths would ultimately sell to About Life by 2016.About life heading to Surry Hills Good Food 21 October 2014
In May 2015 the Richmond store was sold to Little Projects, which then demolished it and built a 13-story apartment building on the land dubbed "Dux Richmond Hill".Dux Richmond Hill Little Projects In January 2016 the Glen Waverley store was closed, and throughout the remainder of 2016 Thomas Dux's Hornsby store in was closed, while its Crows Nest, Lane Cove and Port Melbourne outlets were taken over by About Life.Three Thomas Dux stores in Sydney to close Good Food 26 January 2016
In 2017 the four remaining Thomas Dux stores were closed. The two remaining Melbourne locations, Black Rock and Armadale, as well as the Paddington store were rebranded as Woolworths Metro stores. The Mona Vale store was taken over by Flannerys. As of December 2017, Thomas Dux has ceased trading altogether. In 2021 the former Thomas Dux site at Black Rock was closed, which re-opened in 2026 as a Dan Murphy's liquor outlet. Woolworths has also exited the former Armadale site, which has since re-opened as a furniture store.
As at June 2021, Woolworths continued to sell limited gourmet products like cheese under the Thomas Dux brand.Speciality cheeses from around the world Woolworths This was similar to after buying Macro Wholefoods and closing their stores, but keeping the brand alive as a healthier food range on Woolworths shelves.
Stores Suburb Address Previous use Subsequent use Date opened Date closed Surry Hills 285A Crown Street Small Woolworths Supermarket About Life Wholefoods Store, Office space 19 April 2008 September 2014 Lane Cove 62 Burns Bay Road Food For Less supermarket, Franklins No Frills supermarket About Life Wholefoods Store, Flannerys Organic Grocer, Pet store 19 April 2008 29 February 2016 Glen Waverley Shop 2.200 The Glen Macro Wholefoods store Location taken over by food court after redevelopment of shopping centre; opened 28 March 2018 29 August 2009Thomas Dux Glen Waverley Launch Thomas Dux 31 January 2016 Crows Nest 13-19 Willoughby Road Macro Wholefoods store About Life Wholefoods Store, Flannerys Organic Grocer, Medical centre 10 October 2009Thomas Dux Crows Nest Launch Thomas Dux 26 April 2016 Richmond 153 Bridge Road Macro Wholefoods store Residential Apartment Tower 6 November 2009 31 May 2015 Port Melbourne 120 Bay Street Development site About Life Wholefoods Store, Independent supermarket 7 January 2010 29 February 2016 Hornsby Shop 2009 Westfield Hornsby Macro Wholefoods store Toys R Us, Uniqlo 26 September 2009Thomas Dux Hornsby Launch Thomas Dux April 2016Armadale1068 High StreetMacro Wholefoods storeWoolworths Metro Supermarket, MCM House (Furniture store)19 September 2009 4 July 2017 Paddington220 Glenmore RoadSmall Woolworths supermarketWoolworths Metro Supermarket13 August 2008October 2017Mona Vale12-14 Park StreetMacro Wholefoods storeFlannerys Organic Grocer5 September 2009Thomas Dux Mona Vale Launch Thomas DuxDecember 2017Black Rock40 Bluff RoadMacro Wholefoods storeWoolworths Metro Supermarket, Dan Murphy's Liquor Outlet3 October 2009Thomas Dux Black Rock Launch Thomas Dux4 July 2017
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