After more than 20 years as a trusted destination for cooks and chefs across the Northern Rivers, The Kitchen Shelf has entered a new chapter, with Patricia and Daryl Hellyar taking over the business.

The couple officially took ownership just before Christmas, and have spent the time building up stock, before reopening the doors this week. Patricia says the response from the community has already been encouraging.

“Since we took over on the 19th of December, it’s actually been not too bad so far,” she said. “People are starting to get to know that we are open again.”

Known as a comprehensive store for professional chefs and serious home cooks, The Kitchen Shelf stocks everything from specialist kitchen equipment and cookware to dinnerware, drinkware and cooking accessories.

Under Patricia and Daryl, that offering is expanding, while staying true to what locals already know and love. One of the biggest additions is a stronger focus on Weber, with a larger range of barbecues and accessories now coming in.

“We’re bringing in a bigger range of the Weber barbecues and accessories,” Patricia said. “And we’re getting back more into a bit of the café supplies as well.”

They’re also introducing new brands, including Seed and Sprout, aimed at health-conscious customers looking for glass containers, lunch boxes and sustainable kitchen solutions.

Behind the scenes, the change marks a significant shift for the Hellyars, who spent decades in the transport industry before making the leap into retail.

“Daryl’s been a driver for over 30 years,” Patricia said. “He started driving for his father, who had started the business over 35 years ago. But with the changes in the transport industry over the last few years, we felt it was time to step back and try something different.”

That “something different” came about unexpectedly - during the store’s retirement sale.

“Daryl actually came in to buy a pan,” Patricia said. “And he pretty much decided on the business there and then on the spot.”

They were drawn not just to the opportunity, but to the strong foundations laid by previous owners Terry and Kay.

“They had a really good business here,” Patricia said. “It’s been here for over 20 years, and it was just too good a business for Lismore to lose.”

With floods an ever-present reality in the CBD, the new owners have also made practical changes, setting the store up to be as flood-ready as possible.

“We’ve tried to make it easy to clean out and easy to move stock and fixtures if we need to,” Patricia said. “That was always in the back of our minds when setting the shop back up.”

The Kitchen Shelf continues to serve cafés, schools and commercial customers, but Patricia says everyday home cooks are just as important.

“We get a lot of general public customers, and they’ve been fantastic,” she said. “Even while we’re waiting on more stock, they’re happy to come back and check again.”

As they settle into their new role, Patricia says the support they’ve received has meant everything.

“We’ve been overwhelmed and humbled by the support of family, friends and the community,” she said. “It’s been really encouraging.”

For Lismore locals, The Kitchen Shelf’s reopening is another sign of confidence in the town - and for Patricia and Darryl, it’s just the beginning.

“Onwards and upwards,” Patricia said.