“Time to get out”: Lismore stalwart puts North Lismore business up for sale

After 28 years at the helm of Aussie Digger, well known businessman John Barnes is retiring. See what his next move will be.

John Barnes has been at the forefront of quality workwear and boots in North Lismore for over 20 years.

But after a routine scan found cancer the 81-year-old went “under the knife”.

“We were lucky to catch it early,” he said.

“But it’s made me think now it’s the time to get out.”

Specialising in workwear and boots, Mr Barnes has well over $1 million worth of stock.

Aussie Digger was started in an empty shed on Bridge Street in 1994.

Mr Barnes was working as a publican when a friend suggested he get out of that industry.

“I was looking around at different businesses and a friend of mine from Maroochydore had something similar to this,” Mr Barnes said.

“He kept saying to me, ‘John, you knock off at lunchtime on Saturday and have Sunday off. How does that sound?’ and I thought that’s pretty good, pubs are seven-days-a-week.

“I didn’t have enough money to go into a good coastal pub, and I looked around and found this building here and thought it looked like a good place so I started out in an empty shed with camping gear and work wear.”

Mr Barnes said he built the shop on stock.

“If someone comes in and they want 30 shirts, today, you’ve got to have a big range of all the sizes and it’s the same with boots.

“A bloke comes in wanting a pair of boots, he wants to come in and walk out with them, so that’s why I carry a lot of stock.”

Mr Barnes said people come all the way from Murwillumbah and Byron, Evans Head, Yamba, and Iluka.

“Going west we get people from Tenterfield and Dorrigo, Casino and Kyogle.”

The store will remain the same and retain existing staff but will just have a new owner once sold.

“It’ll carry on the same, the owner might make some changes, but I’ve asked that any changes be taken on gradually.”

There has been significant interest in the North Lismore stalwart.

“There have been a lot of people looking at it, locals and some from Maclean.”

He said once the sale goes through he is looking forward to retiring on a small grazing property out of town.

“Just a small place out of town, run a few head of cattle. Something to keep me out of mischief.”

Aussie Digger is on the market for $1,500,000.