Three local businesses have, for one reason or another, had a big shift in their operations recently. We check in with them to see what is happening.

The Richmond Hotel, closed since the 2022 floods, has been sold again. Sassy Bean had to temporarily close after a sprinkler caused significant water damage, and Winkler Chrome Plating is waiting to hear from insurance to know if they will be able to salvage their business after a fire destroyed the building at the end of July.

The Richmond Hotel



The Richmond Hotel has sold once again, with its new owners signing a long-term settlement. The new owners have sought privacy over the sale, so particulars, like sale price, settlement date and plans for the hotel, will not be available until after settlement occurs, although it was rumoured to be on the market for $600,000.

The Richmond was extensively damaged after the 2022 big flood, with the back verandah a highly photographed part of the flood that was shown around the country.

Carol and John Quilkey owned the pub for 16 years before selling it to the Waratah Hotel Group, the owners of Mary G's, in April 2022.

In April 2023, it was reported that the group was waiting to complete the Mary G's rebuild before moving on to the Richmond rebuild. The back verandah has been stabilised, and the interior cleaned and primed for a future fit-out before it was put on the market in 2024.

(There's a bit of work to be done at the hotel before it can recommence business if that is the new owner's plan)

It is not certain if the deal involved poker machine licenses or was sold as the Richmond Hotel only.

We now wait for settlement and future plans from the new owners.

Winkler Chrome Plating

Mark Winkler, the owner of the family business, Winkler Chrome Plating is the third generation owner after more than 70 years of service in Lismore.

(Some examples of Mark's work. He has received many compliments and expressions of support for the workmanship he provides)

On the night of Friday, 26th July, a fire damaged the polishing section and office of the Winkler Chrome factory. The fire was stopped before it reached the plating section that was damaged in a fire earlier this year and repaired for operation in February and March.

The timing of the fire has been difficult for Mark. He said, “The loss has been devastating. We were fully booked for the rest of the year and were looking at work for next year.”

Mark and his team have worked hard to rebuild the business after flood and fire. On August 1st, Mark posted on Facebook, "As you could imagine over the last few days I have been incredibly overwhelmed, with mixed emotions, especially considering the current state of the building. This dear old thing has stood up to many floods & disasters and it is so difficult to see it now as a collapsed version of its former self."

The business is slowly navigating through insurance requirements. Mark says, “We are at the mercy of the process,” and is waiting on what options there are to salvage the business. 

Mark says, “Our first ambition is to reopen.” He has been working at the business “Since I left school at 17” and is determined to reopen if at all possible.

Mark has received many words of support and kindness from the community and he is mindful of the recognition of his situation, posting, "I would like to say a sincere thank you to everyone who has reached out in any way, your support & kind words mean a lot to my family and myself."

(Posted on Facebook following the fire at Winkler Chrome Plating)

Sassy Bean

On 20th July, before the centre opened, a suspected malfunctioning sprinkler rained down 5000 litres of water a minute for 40 minutes, decimating the equipment of the Sassy Bean Café at the Home Co in South Lismore.

Tony Zammit, the owner of Sassy Bean says, “If billions of litres of water during the 2022 floods couldn’t keep us from continuing on, 200,000 litres aren’t going to keep us from reopening now.” 

Tony and other workers were amazed at how much water flooded out of the centre from a single sprinkler. Patrons were denied entry until the late morning while the incident was contained and cleaned up.

Due to circumstance and water, Tony has built or rebuilt the Sassy Bean, physically, four times in six years. Five times, if you want to include building up the clientele after Covid.

The tenacity Tony shows is due to the success of the favourite café he has run, “The people and the business are worth it."

Tony has successfully made an insurance claim. However, he is waiting for the particulars to be released before he can make any definite reparations.

He also needs permission from the Home Co management before anything can be done in the cafe's space, due to safety concerns.  The deluge has saturated the electrics, and Tony has been unable to utilise the area until it is checked by the centre owners and is signed off.  

Alternative options to continue his service are being assessed, including a food van set-up out the front of the shopping centre. The Sassy Bean chairs and tables within the plaza are secure and able to be used for patrons wishing to sit and enjoy a drink or a meal.

(Sassy Bean under deluge)

Keep an eye out for progress on the food van and potential reopening dates on their Facebook page.