Kmart Bankstown is the new Valentine’s Day hotspot
Forget overpriced dinners and candlelit cafes—this Valentine’s Day, lovebirds are flocking to Kmart Bankstown for a completely unexpected twist on romance.
It was 6pm, a week before Valentine’s Day, and Kmart Bankstown had done its best to create a romantic atmosphere—well, as romantic as fluorescent lighting and budget-friendly décor could allow. The aisles were bustling with couples casually strolling through, picking out things they didn’t need but might as well take home. The sound of upbeat pop songs from the store’s speakers mixed with the clink of shopping trolleys, setting a scene unlike any typical Valentine’s Day hotspot.
We spoke with a few couples shopping that evening, and here’s what we found.
Picture this—couples strolling hand-in-hand down aisles of home décor, debating over the best set of towels or testing out inflatable pool toys for a future holiday. It’s a date night like no other—budget-friendly, spontaneous and full of quirky charm.
Sitting near the homeware section, Jake and Lara were putting the finishing touches on their “romantic” evening: a few novelty items that made for a quirky celebration. “It’s not quite a Michelin-star experience,” Jake said, “but it’s the thought that counts, right?”
A few aisles over, Maya and Leo were having a different kind of date night: a friendly competition to see who could find the weirdest, most ridiculous item on the shelf. Maya proudly held up a neon green, inflatable crocodile float. “This is it,” she said, showing it off like a prized possession. Leo countered with a jumbo-sized inflatable flamingo that could fit an entire family. “Beat that!” he said.
Down the aisle, a more laid-back couple, Rachel and Tim, were simply taking their time, examining all the strange yet intriguing items on the shelves—two electric kettles and coloured spatulas. “I mean, who wouldn’t want one of these?” Tim said. “I think I’ll be drinking my tea in style from now on.”
From competing over the weirdest items in the toy section to bonding over a shared love of quirky finds, Kmart is proving that romance doesn’t have to be fancy—it just has to be fun.
For some couples, the magic wasn’t in the products, but in the carefree, silly fun of it all. No overly elaborate plans, no fancy restaurants—just the joy of being together, doing something spontaneous and making memories in a place that was anything but traditional.
A night of unlikely romance …
As the evening unfolds, the aisles become the stage for quirky love stories.
Take Sarah and Tom, for example. They met online a few months ago and thought they’d try something “different” for their first Valentine’s Day together.
Instead of the usual dinner reservation, they found themselves in the homewares section, debating whether a set of mismatched vases would “work” in their living room.
The real romance, though, came when Sarah made a joke about Tom’s lack of decorating skills, and instead of getting offended, he laughed and playfully tossed a set of decorative throws into the trolley.
“For our future living room,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jess and Mark—who have been together for five years—find themselves deep in a heated discussion over which set of curtains has the best “texture.” Mark, trying to be romantic, picks a set of curtains in beige, but Jess shakes her head.
“Too heavy for the lounge,” she said.
They both agree on a light grey set, and after purchasing them, they take a selfie in front of the curtain section.
And then there’s Sarah and Liam, who were all about practicality and fun. They didn’t even bother with the aisles of home goods.
Instead, they made a beeline for the office supplies section, picking out quirky desk organisers and a set of gel pens in every colour.
After grabbing their haul, they park themselves in front of the massive shelving units, cracking up over how much room they had to store all their “new office essentials.”
Unexpected moments of connection …
It’s not just the products that bring the romance—it’s the connection.
Couples, in between aisle stops, take a moment to admire the random things they find—like a collection of scented candles in every fragrance imaginable or a variety of candy jars stacked high.
“Can you picture us with this in our place?” Mark said, holding up a candle shaped like a flower.
Nearby, Sarah picks up a jar of jelly beans, laughing. “Perfect for our Netflix-and-chill nights,” she said, imagining the cosy vibes.
The joy of these spontaneous, silly moments serves as a reminder that sometimes, the best dates are the ones you never expected.
