4WD enthusiasts across Karratha have been celebrating the return of TJM non-stop since announcing their re-opening in October and even more when they announced they were returning to where it all began in Crane Circle.
TJM holds a special place in the hearts of punters in Karratha. Whether it’s as simple as buying bright as fuck headlights or getting all the fruit, the store was sorely missed during its hiatus.
The Bugle spoke to a few avid members of the 4WD community about the stores return, some of whom were lined up outside the store eagerly awaiting the ribbon cutting back when it re-opened in late 2025.
“I couldn’t wait to walk back through the familiar aisles and have a rubberneck,” said one.
“The Mrs has cut me off from the joint account after I dropped the money we’d saved for a holiday on a fresh set of drawers, bull bar and a canopy for the ute.”
“Now I’m sleeping on the fridge slider, but it was well worth it – the rig is unstoppable now.”
Refreshed and reinvigorated, the store’s management opted to endorse a Pilbara-based stainless steel drinkware company Fridgy and support local instead of a drink bottle business based out of Austin, Texas.
One happy customer Christoper Thompson, 50, told the Bugle that while he had a terrific customer service experience in TJM, he did have one complaint.
“This Fridgy can cooler thing keeps the beer too fucking cold mate,” he lamented.
“I pull a can out of the fridge and whack it in and it’s almost like the cunt gets colder in there, fucking dry ice in the walls or something”
Christopher was going to lodge a complaint with management but quickly realised the photos he’d taken reveal that he drinks Great Northern and quietly purchased a swag and left the store.
TJM floor manager Lyle Hughs says selecting the location of the new store was no accident.
“Coming out to the LIA was nice for a bit, but it’s good to be back where it all began, with new management there’s some big things coming” he said.
“Mollenhauer and co would be proud of what we’ve put together out here, proper 4WD heaven.”
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