A heritage-listed country pub is facing permanent closure after 113 years of business.
Pubgoers enjoyed a final beer at the Commercial Hotel Rappville, about 80km north of Grafton in NSWs‘ Northern Rivers, on Saturday night.
Publican Lisa Stewart has remained steadfast in her $975,000 asking price for the venue since listing it for sale in April.
However, locals fear the failure to find a buyer could see the historic pub close its doors for good.
The Commercial Hotel Rappville is one of the oldest and last timber pubs standing in NSW and served as Rappville’s only pub and accommodation.
‘We will not sell to anyone who wishes to turn the hotel into a home,’ Ms Stewart wrote online.
‘The hotel must be kept operational as a business in whatever capacity that may entail with licence attached.
‘So please rest assured we will only sell if the hotel remains open for the village of Rappville and public.
‘It is not always about money but preserving historical buildings and their life’s history, stories and purpose.’
The Commercial Hotel Rappville, known around town as the Rappy, was bought by Ms Stewart in 2020 following devastating floods.
She and her family spent countless hours restoring the pub to its former glory but on Saturday knew it was time to close up shop.
‘The Rappy will be having last drinks and unfortunately after much hard work by our family, at this stage, the hotel will remain closed thereafter,’ Ms Stewart said.
‘We thank everyone for your encouragement, enthusiasm and support over the past almost five years for the Commercial Hotel Rappville.’
Although she’s ready to move on from the venue, Ms Stewart believes there’s someone who will be able to continue its legacy.
‘There is potential and many ideas what can be done here with this historical beauty than close it permanently or renovate to someone’s grand home,’ she said.
‘Some of those ideas to bring business and people to the village is to house everything within the hotel and grounds – a cafe/fresh bakery perhaps where we had the dining, physio office, beauty therapist, gallery room.
‘(There)’s plenty of ideas to keep the actual hotel alive. It is just not a good fit for us anymore that we don’t wish to pursue these ideas.
‘We just hope whoever purchases loves the building as much as we do and she remains standing for many years.’
The Commercial Hotel Rappville was built by Henry Valatine Rapp in 1911 to serve surrounding timber workers, farmers and train passengers.