Lilly Cook has taken on an ambitious task: renting out what was once an iconic local cafe in Lismore and making it her own.
Ms Cook also happens to be deaf, and her cafe is becoming a gathering place for the large and active Deaf community in the NSW Northern Rivers region.
"I lost my hearing when I was two from meningitis, so I had to learn how to manage and fight to survive," she says, speaking to the ABC with the assistance of Auslan interpreter Gail Smith.
Ms Cook is a new arrival in the city. A relationship has led her to "follow her heart" to Lismore.
She has worked in hospitality for 25 years, but running her own business brings welcome independence.
"Bosses are always a bit bossy, you know, 'do this, do that'," she says.
"They don't really understand Deaf people so I thought, 'why don't I do it for myself?'"
A rare thing in Australia
The Northern Rivers has historically been a gathering place for the Deaf community, with families attracted by education services that are not available in other regional areas.
It means the grand opening of Ms Cook's café has a strong show of support, with people travelling from as far away as Brisbane to help make the day a success.
"It's so special to have this. It's such a rare thing in Australia to have a Deaf-run cafe," Lismore-based Auslan interpreter Nikki McGowan says.
"It's one of the biggest things to happen, I think, for the Deaf community here in Lismore."
Ms Cook says it has been a long time since she has had an active Deaf community around her, but she has embraced the change.
"I was out in the country and there was only one other deaf person so I forgot how to sign and I became rusty with my Auslan," she says.
"Now I'm here, I'm like 'wow, I'm picking it up all up again'."
Lismore coming back to life
It is not just the Deaf community who are excited to see a new business in Lismore.
The town is still recovering from the effects of major flooding in February and March so for many, any business is welcome business.
Local duo The Nickeys performed at the cafe's grand opening. Their live music and visual performance show has one painting an interpretation of the other's music.
"It's just another creative element that can maybe reach a broader audience, a lot more people can relate to it and experience the arts," singer-painter Nic Palmer says.
"We just love the idea of supporting Lismore coming back to life."
Hearing and Deaf to come together
While Deaf culture is highlighted and encouraged, Ms Cook wants all customers to feel welcome.
"[I'd like to have] a meeting place, like a hub, for both hearing and Deaf people to come together," she says.
Ms Cook communicates with hearing customers who don't know Auslan in a range of ways: reading lips, using gestures or mime, or writing messages down.
Her staff have different degrees of hearing and Auslan knowledge as well.
She says the biggest challenge she faces as a business owner is occasional negativity, but she chooses to ignore it.
"I would like hearing people to be open minded and not to be afraid with Deaf people when they try to communicate with them," she says.
As a steady stream of customers drop by, many Deaf or using Auslan, two hearing customers come through the door.
Ms Cook takes the order. Interpreter Gail, who came from Queensland to help for the first few days, shows the pair how to make their order in sign language.
"Large flat white, no sugar," she speaks as she demonstrates. "Now, you do it."
Proving what many coffee enthusiasts already know: a love of good coffee is universal.
