Last Thursday, Best & Less reopened on Keen Street, which created a buzz in the CBD as shoppers flocked to the CBD to check out the rebuilt store.

Two more businesses will have a positive impact on the CBD, one new and another that is reopening, Mother Tree Juicery and PJs Fruit and Veg.

Mother Tree Juicery has recently opened on Magellan Street.

Owners Caitlin and Daniel have lived in the area for five years and have a strong connection to the region. Daniel, who was born in Lismore and grew up in the area, remembers a vibrant and exciting city as a child, experiencing floods in the past and seeing how the community always bounced back from them. While experiencing the recent devastating flood was heartbreaking, Daniel and Caitlin also found it inspiring to help the community rebuild.

Being a business owner in the past and seeing the need for healthy food options and new things to open in Lismore, they decided to open Mother Tree Juicery as a testament to the community's willpower to keep pushing and striving after these events. 

"We are very positive about the future of Lismore, and although we know floods in the area are certain, we believe providing healthy on-the-go foods and drinks to Lismore is essential and plays a role in supporting a healthy, vibrant community.

"We are very excited about being a part of the rebuilding of Lismore City and look forward to growing with the community we love. It really makes us feel great to see happy customers, and the feedback and support we have received is heartwarming. We'd love to thank everybody that has supported us so far."

Mother Tree Juicery is dedicated to providing the Lismore region with the healthiest and most nutritious foods and beverages they can. Focusing on cold-pressed juices, smoothies, desserts and ready-to-go lunch options, Mother Tree uses high-quality, sustainable and organic ingredients.

They offer functional mushrooms, adaptogens, superfoods and other natural supplements as options in their recipes. They are also stockists of NFS Sea Moss and Organic Merchant naturopathically formulated teas and cacao blends. 

It has been a long 18 months for Natasha and Brendan at PJ's Fruit and Veg. Today (Monday, 4 September), they are set to open in their original premises, downstairs at Lismore Central.

PJ's have been open upstairs at Central since six weeks after the flood.

Natasha Garred, the owner, said," After the flood, we had the manager (of the centre) at the time, Rob, pushing us because no one was really open. Supermarkets weren't open, and we could get food - we have a lot of local suppliers. So, it kept that money in our community when it was really important. So that was our biggest thing, and knowing that our customers needed some kind of normality."

The renovation was complicated, as walls blew out, and a structural engineer was required before fit-out could commence. By continuing to operate upstairs, PJ's was able to retain its permanent staff.

The lack of foot traffic and awareness that they have been upstairs has had a negative impact on their trade. Their portable cool room was downstairs, which meant a lot of extra work ferrying produce. So the team are very excited to return to their original premises, with a fresh new store.

"People will change their shopping habits and slowly come back; it's easier and more convenient downstairs."

The business has been owned by Natasha and Brendan for 15 years, with Brendan's parents owning it for 10 years before that, and it was there before them, so 35 years plus in the community. 

PJ's is set to open at 7am today, with free face-painting between 10am-1pm, as well as chocolate tasting, giveaways and specials in their brand new shop.