Coles to launch flash new Lismore supermarket

After serving the Lismore community in a pop-up tent at the back of the Regional Gallery, Coles has moved back home and is getting ready to launch its new store. Here are the details.

Coles Lismore Square is in its final stages of a fit out in preparation to officially open its new supermarket within the next two weeks.

The opening of the new store comes mere months after the original Coles store, built in 1979, was destroyed in the Lismore floods.

The new store will feature a large fresh produce section, as well as an extended range of ready-made meals.

The deli section will include delicious hot roast chickens, an extensive range of gourmet cheese, and seafood options behind the counter.

Lismore Coles’ fresh offering includes daily flipped, fresh flatbread, as well as patisserie favourites and celebration cakes.

Another new feature is a frozen dessert bar, housing gelato, macarons and mochi.

Click and Collect concierge will also be on offer, allowing shoppers to drive through dedicated lanes to have their online grocery order delivered straight to the car.

All hands on deck as Coles Lismore prepares to reopen.

While the back to back floods devastated the community, Coles, like so many others, soldiered on.

The retail giant continued serving the community from a pop-up tent in the city’s central business district.

More than 65 pallets were trucked into the local community twice a week, ensuring Lismore locals would not have to go without their daily essentials.

Local staff hosted regular sausage sizzles at the Lismore Showgrounds as well as donating bread and sausages to the Lismore Lions Club to help raise much-needed funds for the affected community.

Team members also volunteered their time at the evacuation centres in Lismore and Ballina.

Coles Lismore store manager Cheryl Muirhead said while the past few months had been challenging, she couldn’t be prouder of her team in rallying behind the local community, all while keeping a smile on their faces.

“We are so excited to be opening a brand new store for the Lismore community,” Ms Muirhead said.

“It has certainly been a challenging few months yet so heartwarming to see everyone in Lismore put their hand up to help others, including our incredible store team,” she said.

Coles Lismore store manager Cheryl Muirhead said she is looking forward to opening the new store at Lismore Square within the next two weeks. Picture: Cath Piltz

“Seventeen of our team members lost everything. Every single team member has been impacted in some way, big or small,” she said.

Staff members who have been working with Coles for over 20 years are just as happy to be returning ‘home’ to the Lismore Square.

“It is home to us, and we can’t wait to return to helping and serving our customers,” one said.

Coles Lismore will officially re-open to shoppers on Friday, July 15, from 9am.