“We needed that change,” said proprietor Alsion Urihien.

“People are wanting to come and sit down for a nice meal and coffee.

“The old corner stores are not surviving.”

There is big change at the store, but some traditional products are still on offer, including bread, milk, newspapers, magazines, lollies and even Chiko Rolls.

The business was closed for five weeks for renovations and opened on Monday with 10 jobs.

“Everyone in North Wagga has been very supportive, it’s been great,” Ms Urihien said.

“I think they are excited about a change in style to a cafe.”

The conversion of corner stores to coffee shops and cafes in Wagga has taken off in recent years.

Some other corner stores have been turned into hair salons or other types of food outlets. 

Ms Urihien stepped away from 15 years in real estate to operate the North Shore Cafe.

“This is all new to me, but I have great staff who know what they are doing,” she said.

A framed photo of the Island View store taken in 1959 sits on a shelf in the cafe.

The Island View, however, has been moved to a new premises at Tarakan Avenue, Ashmont.