Finally, all the work associated with the new Furniture Court shop on Molesworth Street is complete.

While the interior of the shop was open for trade on June 24 this year, there were a lot of problems associated with completing work on the awning of the shop. This was only revealed as the building renovation progressed, so up went scaffolding and more submissions to council.

The result is an asbestos-free building that is now as flood-resilient as you can make.

The power points are up high, the air conditioning is up high, the meter boxes, communication boxes and security boxes are up way above 2022 flood heights, Owner Elton Cummings told the Lismore App.

"The windows are extra thick, the automatic doors are high, so we don't get to worry about motors if we have to do it again; we've got a massive new lift that's been put in, and the storage upstairs has been completely renovated."

The storage is now above the 2022 level. However, it should be noted that Elton had never lost any item in the two buildings (including Bi-Rite out the back) until February 28 2022.

"And I've gone through 15-20 floods," Elton said, "We've packed five times, and I didn't even need to pack."

After spending a great deal of money on flood resilience, asbestos removal and sprucing up the awning, Elton would have loved to complete the entire renovation by renovating the facade. That was a step too far and too long.

"I would have done the facade up top (of the building), but that became another $60 or $80,000. That will come later. We're running out of time, and I didn't want the front to be locked down for more delays with all the compliance. We would have had our shop covered up for ages, so I thought, no, we'll come back to that later, at a more appropriate time."

"Now most of it's done, it should last another 100 years. I won't be around then," Elton laughed.

What has been a difficult and costly time for Elton is good news for the community because Elton has taken 20% Off everything in Furniture Court, except the Lazy Boy range, they are 25% Off.

"We are so proud that we are part of the Furniture Court membership. We won the number one new store already for the largest dollar increases in Australia. They have just increased their warehousing, and we've got exclusive brands like Lazy Boy and Zoletti, and we've teamed up with Slumber Corp, an Australian-made mattress. They're number one in Western Australia and have now built a factory in Brisbane.

Furniture Court was officially opened last night at a Lismore Chamber of Commerce function attended by quite a few local business owners.

In his speech, Mayor Steve Krieg said, "Without people like Elton in this town, Lismore would be a lot worse off."

The Cummings family continuously reinvests in Lismore and has done so for over 70 years.

"We're pretty proud of where we are. Dad started the business in 1948, and I joined the company in 1971. It feels good to be able to be still here in Lismore today. Some of our staff have been with me 41 years, and another couple have been 24 and 25 years. So, we've got longevity with our staff members.

"From a very small company to what we've got today, feels really good. In the 1970s, we couldn't find a shop to buy or rent in the CBD. I walked around the streets and found something on the corner of Keen and Magellan Street, a tiny little shop, and started out there. That was the only shop available as well, which is a bit different today. I remember when we took over Brown & Jolly in the '80s, the electrical shop.

"I keep telling everybody, anyone who wants to have a go at it, this is the time to do it because there's the availability of shops at the right price. Landlords are keen to get people in. There's no opportunity better than it is currently."

If you pop into Furniture Court (Molesworth Street, the Woodlark Street end) today, not only can you buy anything at a 20% discount, you can enjoy a free sausage sizzle between 11am and 2pm.