The Lismore App has been letting you know about new businesses reopening since our What's Open button launched in April 2022.

Many months and many stories later Lismore is getting back on its feet and confidence is growing as we head into 2023.

Over the weekend, we received an email from Michel Lamarre, the owner of La Trouvaille in the Star Court Arcade (SCA) saying that SCA has now reopened for business.

Michel is also a member of the Body Corporate Executive Committee and has been heavily involved in the entire renovation of the common area of the grand old girl. Michel wrote a story about SCA, it is below:

Yes… There is definitely always a silver lining after a difficult event; we took the lipstick off the old lady that is the (SCA) Star Court Arcade and she is really beautiful! In fact, after the flood event of February 2022, we have discovered that many gems of the Star Court Arcade were hidden behind the last 1990s renovation. See a short video of renovation here: https://fb.watch/hm8z9wBLc9/?mibextid=qC1gEa

There are “Before & After” photos are at the end of this article.

Firstly, we believe that it is very important to maintain old buildings because they have historical and cultural significance and economic value. They may have an important function in history and may even be the pride of the town citizens.

We are very proud to have been able to somewhat return the Star Court Arcade a little closer to how she was looking in the early 1900s, with details sympathetic to the period.

The main objectives were to show the true beauty of this grand old lady, by exposing the original features of the SCA without going to a full restoration program. We wanted to optimize what was hidden and replace where possible what had been lost, with materials that could closely match the flavour of the original design. It is impressive to note that the initial materials used in 1910 and 1930 had, to a large degree, survived the test of time - in particular the old pressed metal and the leadlight windows.

We also had the mandate to improve the appearance of the back of the arcade that was built as a second phase, so we used flood-resistant materials such as pressed metal, ceiling roses and villaboard to give the front and the back of the arcade a similar look and feel.

Now the arcade common areas are all renovated. Many landlords are busy renovating their spaces to allow their future tenants to reopen their businesses.

Please come and visit us and support our local business.

What’s open:

- National Dental Care, Lismore

- Heart Bookkeeping

- Living Health - Natural Medicine

- Star Court Theatre

- La Trouvaille - Shop 25 & 26

- Hairlines - Shop 16

- Many others are pending.

I really would like to thank all the contractors/ Architect and their team involved:

● Mark Floate (FLOATE Architecture): Detailed specifications and drawings;

● Vanessa Lamarre (Architectural & Civil Engineer): Architectural mood board on a pro-bono basis;

● James.D Bird & L.K Bird: Plastering and General Construction / Demolition;

● Shayne Quinn Electrical (SQE): All Electrical Work;

● Tony Durheim (PREMIER 3D PAINTING): Painting and Finishing;

● Shaun Hawkins (Hawkins on Fire): Fire Detection;

● Shoel (BRIGHTWAY LIGHTING): Lighting Fixture Supply.

I also would like to thank the Star Court Arcade Body Corporate Executive Committee, who have been meeting on a weekly / monthly basis to ensure a successful outcome:

● Robyn Smith (Chairperson)

● Denise Miller (Member)

● Jaime Baites (Member)

● Michel Lamarre (Member)

● Warren Lattimer (Strata Manager)