10 Clarence Valley businesses back in operation
A brewery, snack shack, gallery, corner store and more - we take a look at 10 places that have made a comeback in the Clarence Valley.
Business
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As businesses come and go in the Clarence Valley, some have found innovative ways to thrive.
Some go for a facelift or a complete change of purpose.
And for those of us with long memories, there is often great excitement in the process and strong support for the people who bring these places back again.
We’ve gathered a list of the places in the Clarence that have, or are in the process of gaining a new lease on life.
Brooms Head General Store
For Nathan and Ros Brown, they knew they’d have to work hard to restore the Brooms Head General Store, which had lay dormant for more than a year in the beachside town.
And while there was more work than they imagined, they reopened last week with the help and thanks of a grateful village.
Read about what they did to get it ready, and how they were the most popular site in town here.
Chatsworth Island Store
Branching out from their popular Yamba coffee venue, Michael Ryan and Melissa Novak sought to reinvent and keep the spirit of Chatsworth Island’s only shop alive.
They’ve not only kept it going, but again become the hub of their community, and giving them a lifeline during the days of lockdown.
Read how they survived the lockdown in our three part local business series here.
Snack Shack
It has been a staple of the Brooms Head experience, but for many years the doors of beachside takeaway the Snack Shack were closed.
Then, the Gillespie family, well known in the area decided to bring their years of catering and food experience into the mix. With a new layout, new menu and consistent opening hours, it is back to being an icon of the local area.
Read about how they got the shack back on track here
Grafton Regional Gallery
For years the Grafton Regional Gallery has been there as the focal point of local art and culture.
However in previous years, we nearly lost the venue, as Clarence Valley Council cutbacks brought the threat of closure.
However, with some innovation, forethought and the generous support of local benefactors, a new plan to extend the gallery, rather than close it has seen it redeveloped into a truly first class cultural destination.
Read about the journey and the story of its reopening here.
PCYC
It had been a much sought-after asset for the youth in our community, and after years of lobbying government the PCYC found a home at the old Grafton Basketball Stadium.
And while the old stadium wasn’t dormant, the newly redeveloped venue has revitalised the area with gym, sporting and workshop facilities aimed at helping the community and youth at risk.
Read all about it at their opening last year here
Iluka Yoga
It was the promise of Iluka’s first international standard resort on the site of a long abandoned service station, but it hasn’t been smooth sailing for this development.
However, after three years laying dormant, the developer has spoken of how excited he is to keep the project afloat, with a new design and possible start date.
Find out what their plans are here
Yamba YHA
They were the innovators of Yamba more than 10 years ago, bringing a backpacker hostel to the town, and with it prosperity from a new tourist market.
However with international travel cancelled for all but the next three years, and with the venue closed due to Covid restrictions, rather than toss it in, the Henwood family decided to go all in, spending half a million dollars on a revamp, and a rebrand to attract a domestic and local market.
The building is almost finished, but you can read about the journey and story here.
Grafton Brewery
When the Grafton Tooheys brewery site closed down in 1997, the area could’ve become one of the town’s great white elephant sites.
However, after local businessman Ron Skinner redeveloped the area into an industrial complex, it brought life back to the northside of town.
Now, with the site in the hands of another local family, the Firth’s are looking to further expand the site and remake it into the industry hub it once was.
Read about their future plans for the site here
Charcoal Chicken
Everyone likes a good old fashioned feed, and for 30 years John Agiannitis served good reliable food from the almost iconic Charcoal Chicken site near Market Square in Grafton.
And when he decided to retire, he had very clear ideas on what he wanted the new owners to do – more of the same.
After a brief closure, who better to do that than those who knew him best – his sons.
Read how they took over the business and plan to keep their customers happy.
The Big Oyster
It’s not back yet, but there isn’t a long-term local who doesn’t pine for the days of the renowned seafood feeds by the water in the 1980s at the Big Oyster in Yamba.
Closed down in 2014, and left abandoned, last year a new owner purchased the site when it come on the market at auction.
And while no plans have been made public yet, Ray White Yamba sales agent Dan Kelly said the new owners have extensive experience in the hospitality, whetting local’s appetite for a return to the site’s glory days.
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