Susanna Freymark
The historic Rappville will open its doors again at the end of August.
Publicans Lisa and Colin Foyster bought the pub in 2019.
At the time, Lisa said she fell in love with the 115 years old Rappy Pub that twice escaped being burned in the 2019 bushfires.
“This pub has stood here since 1911. It’s seen generations come through its doors. In many country towns, the pub is one of the last surviving gathering places. Once they close, towns can lose part of their identity,”Lisa said.
Lisa and Colin managed to get the kitchen open again and redecorated the entire pub.
They had to deal with floods in 2022, when the water came into the pub. Read more here.
Then, in 2023, they put the pub on the market.
“It hasn’t been an easy road personally with a serious injury two years ago (part of reason for closing hotel), with my ankle, was dealing with chronic pain, farm issues and emotionally it took its toll,:” she said.
“Now I just had a second surgery fusing my ankle which should stop the pain and reopening the pub feels hopeful and something to look forward to again.” 
Despite the history and beauty of the Commercial Hotel Rappville, and buyers interested in the pub, it hasn’t been sold.
“We tried to sell the hotel for past year and half, met many potential buyers all with their own dreams, some unrealistic, more wishing for the hotel to be their own home with just shops downstairs, no pub,” Lisa said.
“I realised this place still has a purpose. It’s heritage listed, full of history and stories, and I couldn’t bear to see it lose its soul or sit closed and forgotten or strangers turning her into their private haven or just shops, foreign to the walls of the hotel.”
Lisa said instead of letting it fade away – “I’ve decided to breathe life back into it.”
The Commercial became a destination pub with visitors travelling to experience the ambience.
“I think people are craving authentic places again — somewhere with history, personality and genuine connection,” Lisa said.
“I’d love to see the pub become a destination again — somewhere people stop for a meal, music, a yarn, or simply to experience an iconic country hotel.”
So Lisa and Colin are stepping back into their publican shoes.
“After trying to sell it, I realised my heart still belonged here,” Lisa said.
“I saw how much the pub meant to people and I didn’t want its story to end, we have unfinished business here, we want to complete what we started. This pub has my heart and my journey with her hasn’t ended.”
In August, it begins again.