Yes, Pirlos does sell toilet paper. You can only buy it in individually wrapped rolls, but if you are in need because everywhere else has run out, Pirlos Fruit Barn on Union Street, South Lismore could be your saviour.

Pirlos owner Suzanne Singh-Dhesi said on Tuesday this week, the shelves of her local business were empty after a rush of panic buying from customers.

“We had nothing left - no pasta or nuts or jars on the shelf,” she said.

“Our staff have been working until 11.30pm each night, unloading deliveries and re-stocking the shelves.

“People have gone crazy shopping in the threat of coronavirus.

Plenty of pasta on the shelves of Pirlos.

“Once Woolworths, Coles and Aldi have nothing left, people are thinking about where else they can buy things and they start thinking about local businesses like us. 

“Big supermarkets are making out it’s Armageddon - they are scaring people rather than calming them down.

“People should realise that groceries are not going to stop, they are just dwindling in. Australia is just beginning its quarantine and we haven’t caught up to other countries yet. China is back in production now and will start manufacturing and exporting again.

“We might be in quarantine for a while and the unknown is scaring people.”

Suzanne reassures people that Pirlos is still receiving deliveries from Italy every few weeks of Italian pasta and other specialty staples, and will not run out of stock.

She said other local business owners that sell fruit, vegetables and staples are sticking together and supporting each other in the midst of these unusual times – and she encourages the people in Lismore to support them - not to just give their money to the large supermarkets.

“Here people are lucky we still have a few family businesses that stay afloat – Tropicana owner Alex is Greek, Frank from Lombardos is Italian and in Pirlos, we are Indian," she said. 

“We are all from families that have been there for generations. We’ve been friends for many years and we help each other out. 

“Just because we are in opposition doesn’t mean we can’t help each other. 

“Sometimes I get a pallet of stock and if their stuff has been left behind, I’ll help them out and we work together – whereas big companies like Aldi, Woolies and Coles are greedy. 

“With local businesses like us, the money people spend stays here.”

In Goonellabah, Joan Lombardo said she has enough stock of fruit and veg for the rest of the week and will get more stock on their weekly delivery.

Joan and her late husband started Lombardo in 1973 and have been in the same location on Ballina Road.

If you do shop at the big supermarkets and items are running out, here are two very good local options that will keep you in stock for fruit and veg.

The Lismore App wants to remind you to support local businesses at this time. Your patronage keeps the doors open and protects the livelihoods of people in our community.

You can read more about Pirlos and Suzanne's story in this week's Sunday Profile on The Lismore App.