The Gooley name is as synonymous with Lismore as the Volpato family. Since humble beginnings, both families have purchased quite a few buildings in Lismore's CBD.

George Gooley Menswear has been located at its Molesworth Street location for sixty years. It has been a Lismore clothing institution for as long as most people can remember. Jean House and Gooleys Workwear followed in Woodlark Street.

The Millers clothing store on Molesworth Street closed earlier this year. Its mother company, Mosaic, went into administration in October 2024, and the Receivers went about trying to find buyers for its brands, such as Rivers, Katies, Rockmans and Millers.

The Millers building is owned by the Gooley family, and is a very large retail space that, usually, only national brands can afford to rent. Millers closing meant that the Gooley's had to rethink their business plan or the shop may go untenanted for the next two decades like another on Molesworth Street.

(Inside the new Jean House and Gooleys Workwear shop on Molesworth Street)

Ben Gooley, along with his brother Matt, share the role of General Manager of the Gooley stores. Ben told the Lismore App that Millers closure brought an opportunity for them to consolidate their three retail outlets.

"That was the start of the idea. We've outgrown where we were (Woodlark Street) because of the embroidery and print side of the business. We've just outgrown those shops. So, it was a really good opportunity to bring it around here. Logistically, it's going to be way easier for us.

The new shop will be split into three sections: Jean House, Workwear and Embroidery and Digital Printing.

"Two-thirds of it will go to the Jean House side, and then another third to the Gooleys Workwear. But then, I'll expand the back area to incorporate my embroidery, digital printing and our web department, where we sell online. They will move here as well.

"A lot of their stock is picked out of those stores in Woodlock Street, and our web department is actually run from above the menswear shop in Molesworth Street. So, as I said, logistically, that's going to make our lives a lot easier as well."

When it comes to future floods, Ben explained that his 600-kilogram embroidery machine can be moved using his van.

"I can still pop that in my van and get that out of town. But then there is a massive area upstairs that was still one and a half metres out of the '22 flood. So that's where all my stock will go from now on, instead of having to get that out of the CBD."

Moving from Woodlark to the large Molesworth Street building allows for the two smaller buildings to be more easily rented out to future retail prospects.

Ben and his team of nine are preparing the new building for a soft August 18 launch, so they can test the new systems and processes before an official launch in September.

"I guess it's a way for us to work out any issues. I've renovated a shop before, but I've never had a move this big. It's all got to run smoothly. There can't be hiccups. I need everything to work when I open the doors. So, if I'm going to have a song and dance, I want to make sure we dance and sing," Ben joked.

Ben is excited about what the new building will offer customers.

"I think it's exciting. If you've shopped with us before, you're going to want to come and have a look. We're going to be able to do a way better job than what we're doing now, just with the extra floor space, spreading things out, things won't be as congested.

"I know it's difficult for people with prams. It's been a pain in the ass pushing a pram through our shops, so for us to be able to display stock better and make it easier for everyone to have a look at the products we've got. This is a great opportunity for us."

For now, the preparation involves building many metres of racking, connecting the Ethernet, installing data points and getting new signage organised.

As the sign on the doors says, "Gooley Things Happening. Watch This Space."