In this post-flood environment, where there is not a lot of money to spare, the thought of a store where there's nothing over $5 is kind of appealing at the moment.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
That's discount retailer Silly Solly's DNA and a new franchisee is slowly bringing the store in Keen Street back to life after the February 28 disaster.
Daniel Soca said he was looking to get back into retail and to lead a quieter life after living on the Gold Coast.
MORE STORIES:
After spending the past few months observing life in Lismore, there is a lot about the community he has come to admire.
He's been especially fortified by the community's resilience after the disaster and the pragmatic advice about building back in a CBD that could flood again.
"I have been here for quite a few weeks and I have been getting to meet a lot of the locals. I am from Camden in Sydney and it is very similar," he said.
"Of course it is only common sense starting a business in an area that has had issues before and could have issues in the future.
"I have been thinking about it (floods) everyday and logistically if it does happen again.
"What happened last time was a freak of nature.
"Lismore always floods and even if it does happen again the people are resilient and will keep re-building even if it does happen again."
Mr Soca first came to Lismore about three months ago when he was considering taking on the Silly Solly's franchise.
"No one was around three months ago, now there are tradies around everywhere and the foot traffic is coming back past the store," he said.
"Everyone is very excited about getting things happening again like they used to which is great."
Mr Soca has tracked down some of the staff who worked in the store previously and is looking to recruit others.
Overall he is looking to have about 12 staff on the books to cover a six-day roster.
"We are looking at getting stock out here and hiring local staff and we should be open the first week of August if everything goes according to plan," he said.
I'm a media professional with over 34 years of experience in public relations and journalism, including a decade setting Lismore's news agenda as the editor of The Northern Star. I have proven track record in growing audiences and improving engagement by delivering quality local stories for and about the Lismore community.
I'm a media professional with over 34 years of experience in public relations and journalism, including a decade setting Lismore's news agenda as the editor of The Northern Star. I have proven track record in growing audiences and improving engagement by delivering quality local stories for and about the Lismore community.
