Beloved Pub Closes Its Doors After 113 Years of Service
The Commercial Hotel Rappville bids farewell as it closes after over a century, leaving locals searching for a new watering hole.
Rappville, Australia, Commercial Hotel, Last Drinks, Heritage Pub
Rappville: It’s a sad day for the folks in Rappville. The Commercial Hotel, a cherished spot for over a century, has called last drinks after 113 years. It’s hard to believe, right?
This beloved pub, about 80km north of Grafton, opened its doors for possibly the last time on Saturday. The owners just couldn’t find a buyer, which is a real bummer for the community.
Lisa Stewart, the publican, had the place on the market for $975,000. She received a few offers but was picky about who she’d sell to. She wanted to keep the pub alive, not turn it into someone’s home.
“We will not sell to anyone who wishes to turn the hotel into a home,” she posted online. It’s clear she cares deeply about the pub’s legacy and wants it to stay a part of the village.
Lisa bought the Rappy in 2020, right after the town faced some tough times with flooding. She put a lot of love into renovating the place, but now she feels it’s time to move on.
“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,” she said. It’s a heartfelt goodbye.
She’s hopeful that someone will come along to reopen the pub. There are so many ideas for keeping it alive, like turning it into a cafe or a gallery. It’s just not the right fit for her family anymore.
The pub has been a gathering place for generations, serving timber workers, farmers, and travelers since it first opened in 1911. It’s a real piece of history, and it’s tough to see it go.