Tony Stillone, owner of Rainbow Wholefoods has decided enough is enough and is closing the physical Rainbow Wholefoods store on Terrania Street, North Lismore on January 11.

Customers should not despair as Tony is taking Rainbow Wholefoods on-line so he can continue the business that began 21 years ago across the road before changing to his current site in 2005.

The reason for the closure surrounds a firewall that was identified by Lismore City Council (LCC) as a Fire, Health and Safety issue in 2006. The owner of the building Wagner Farquar Property Pty Ltd were notified the costs would be approximately $140,000. An updated Development Application (DA) was applied for and granted in 2014 if the owner guaranteed to undertake the works. This year, after a 6 year wait, LCC ran out of patience and declared the building not safe.

What is a business owner to do?

Since the Lismore Apps August story Tony was trying to turn Rainbow Wholefoods into a co-op. "We were after 50 people to start the co-op but only managed to confirm 26 interested parties," Tony said, "so we had to move on."

Tony has now made the decision to move his business on-line, as many have been forced into doing in 2020.

"We have built a shed on our property in Coffee Camp at a cost of $150,000 so we can store our products," Tony added, "now we are building a website so people will be able to order our products before mailing them out."

Tony is a Medical Herbalist who makes his own formulas so some stock can only be found at Rainbow Wholefoods. Items like Rhulax which is a colon cleanser, good for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.

Rainbow Wholefoods cannot operate as a physical store from Tony's Coffee Camp residence until he lodges a D.A. but this cost more money than he has right now. "We are thinking of introducing deliveries in 2021," Tony said, "so watch this space."

In the meantime the old store is in pack up mode. Maria Stillone is Tony and Nghi's daughter, has started the arduous task of putting everything into boxes and transporting them to the shed.

The ongoing scenario and uncertainty of his beloved Rainbow Wholefoods caused Tony's blood pressure to rise and he was admitted to hospital in July this year.

"I can't go into the shop," Tony explained, "It is too emotional for me. I get too stressed so I stay away."

You can stay in touch with Rainbow Wholefoods by checking out their website www.rainbowwholefoods.com.au or call (02) 6621 8007.

The last day for Rainbow Wholefoods will be on the 7th or 8th of January, 2021 where Tony wants to have a big party giving away lots of goods. Stay tuned.

As for the current building in Terrania Street, Tony says that the owners cannot afford to have the compliance work completed so it will sit and gather dust while the weeds take hold.