Wagga’s main strip was transformed into a blanket of smoke as customers evacuated after Cache suddenly erupted in flames around 3pm on January 18.  

While no specific date has been set for opening, owner Anthony Chambeyron said he hoped to see the store up and running in September. 

“We are looking at a Spring opening, at some point between mid-August and mid-October,” Mr Chambeyron said. 

“We have contractors starting on Monday and we are feeling positive with the new roof all done and dusted.”  

With around $300,000 worth of damage, Mr Chambeyron said it was a tumultuous few months with a refurbishment currently underway. 

“It’s been a bit of a roller-coaster but we are starting to find some momentum now,” Mr Chambeyron said. 

“The public have been so supportive to us and we really want to keep them in the loop."

Both upstairs and downstairs will be almost completely refurbished, with a new chocolatier arriving in the patisserie. 

With the loss of most of the store’s casual and some part-time staff, its re-opening will create around 40 jobs for the Wagga community. 

“There’s a spring in our step now with new and exciting things happening,” Mr Chambeyron said. 

“We are making big changes to the decor and menu so it will still be the same old Cache but with a twist.” 

Mr Chambeyron said it was a relief to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel with an opening date in sight. 

“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t an emotional journey as Cache has been our backbone for 12 years,” Mr Chambeyron said. 

“In saying that, the insurance company have been great to us and we’ve been able to keep all our full-time staff.” 

Cache will host a “12 years of cafe furniture” garage sale on Saturday before bringing in the new items, selling off kitchen equipment, tables, chairs and lounges. 

“We’ve been hoarding a huge range of stuff over the years,” Mr Chambeyron said. “Anyone looking for odds and ends should come down.” 

While the range does not include any of the items from the fire, he said the store will consider a second auction after the furniture has been assessed. The sale will start on-site at 8am.