After taking on 2.5 metres of water in the flood three weeks ago, Spar is the first supermarket to reopen in Lismore.

Manager of the Wyrallah Road supermarket Lisa Kelly said the quick opening of the shop was only possible thanks to the help of staff, friends and suppliers.

“The Spar is normally the shop that stays standing in a flood and serves most of Lismore when it unfortunately goes under,” Lisa said.

“We never expected the store to take on water – it went up to our top shelves and through everything.”

A picture of the Wyrallah Road Shopping Centre, where the Spar was still under water - few days after the flood.

Quick recovery

Lisa said that the Wyrallah Road location meant Spar was where the flood water receded first – before the CBD.

That meant local staff, friends and Spar Australia staff from Brisbane could get access to the shop quickly for the mammoth task of clearing it out.

One of the Northern Rivers Skip Bins cleaning contractors told the Lismore App that 48 skip bins were filled with flood debris from the Spar alone.

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Lisa said getting new plug in refrigeration units quickly was a temporary fix to get the shop up and running “to serve Lismore”.

“When get proper units, will be stronger than we were before,” she said.

Bigger and better

With supplies coming in from Brisbane markets, as well as local suppliers asking what they can contribute to the shop, Lisa expects it won’t take long until the supermarket is back to having all the specialty items it used to stock – plus more.

“We will be back bigger and better than ever, with plans to bring in ovens to cook chickens and provide baked goods," she said.

“As we get more shelving space, we will move toward what we love and know and stock gluten free products - and more - again.

“We don’t want to change anything and want to get back to normal as soon as possible - and help our fantastic local community.”

The Spar on Wyrallah Road is open 7am to 8pm, seven days a week.