There has been a spate of reopenings this week with Diamond Plus, Mayumi's Kitchen, Wild Pollen, the Lismore Bowling Club and Cafe Cappello all trading once again eight months after February 28.

Alex and Ethan Lim (Uncle Lim's Chinese Restaurant on Keen Street) only purchased Cafe Cappello from Tony and Tamaya in December 2021 before the kitchen was closing down on February 23 for kitchen renovations.

February 28 delivered the unthinkable.

Looking at a positive side of life, after over $100,000 of rebuild and six months of blood, sweat and tears Cafe Cappello has a new look and feel as well as a new menu.

"Everything was damaged from the timber wall, the timber benchtop, it's all gone," Alex Lim told the Lismore App.

"All our equipment is gone. We tried to put it on the mezzanine level and on tables but pretty much it was all gone."

The devastation means the reinvention of Cafe Cappello through Alex and Ethan's eyes is now a reality.

Gone is the coffee, early morning trade and the Italian cuisine and replaced by a Fish and Chip Bar that will be open for lunch and dinner.

"We wanted to do more of a family style cafe so not as fancy. The dishes still look fancy but the price is still fair value," Alex explained.

On the menu are buffalo chicken wings, softshell crab, popcorn prawn, beef burgers, cheese burgers and of course fish and chips. There is even some of Uncle Lims special satay sauce used in the new Cafe Cappello.

"This menu is a little bit more asian style and western style."

Like Ethan at Uncle Lim's, Alex is cooking at Cafe Cappello and is training a new cook so he can jump in and help out when needed.

Finding staff is still an issue for most business owners including Alex Lim.

"I've been looking for like two months to hire the staff and I'm still short. We are looking for a bar tender, someone with RSA who can handle front of house with me."

After all the hard work to get this stage, how does Alex feel?

"I feel proud. There is a bit still to go in our journey but I look at this and I'm happy."

Cafe Cappello is open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch (11 to 2:30pm) and dinner (4:30pm to 8:30pm) and Sunday dinner (4:30pm to 8:30pm).

Cafe Cappello is in Carrington Street just down from the Lismore Heart and the entrance for the Back Alley Gallery walk.

Another recently opened business in Carrington Street, next door to Cafe Cappello will be happy about the reopening is Peppertree Kitchen.

Helen Nott not only lost all her stock in Peppertree but also her tenant in Brown Boyz Indian Restaurant on Magellan Street.

"What can you do," Helen said, "You just take as it comes."

Helen has finished her flood sale and is now busily stocking Christmas items for the busiest time of the year.

As usual Lismore, support local this Christmas whether it be through dining or shopping. We may not write about every shop that is reopening but you will find the growing list in the What's Open button on the front page of the Lismore App What's Open.