A number of expressions of interest have been received for the building after it was offered for sale by Nowra's Integrity Real Estate and MMJ (Martin Morris and Jones) in Wollongong.

One of the Nowra CBD's best-known buildings and iconic pieces of real estate, the former Spotlight building, which over the years has been the home to numerous businesses

Richmond House or The People's Emporium as it was originally known has a long and proud history in the Nowra CBD.

The two-storey Victorian building was built in Berry Street, Nowra by well-known local builder John Schadel in 1888 for John McArthur a pioneer in the commercial life of Shoalhaven.

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It was opened by John McArthur & Son on January 2, 1889 as a shop and residence for McArthur.

By 1893 the store had been taken over by Woodhill Ltd and traded as "Shoalhaven Universal Providers" at Richmond House. It was bought out by Burns Philp and Co Ltd in 1948 but continued to operate as Woodhills; traded as Mates from 1973 to 1976; as Emmotts in 1976, and in 1983 was operating as Young's.

It was operated by the Coles-Myer group as Grace Brothers Department Store from February 1986 until June 2003 before the building was refitted and reopened by Spotlight in 2003 and operated until 2015.

We asked you about your recollections and memories of the building and various businesses that have operated out of the location.

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Here's what you had to say.

"My wife Elsa (nee Hampstead) uncle Walter Osmond was the accountant for Woodhills in the early days. He mentioned to Elsa at some time about a tunnel under the road from Woodhills to the bank on the corner where the PO now is. Walter and his wife were Elsa's godparents and are buried in the old Nowra cemetery that we still look after."

Andy Moffat

"It needs so much work to make it safe. I hope the new owners bring it back to its glory."

Les Connelly

"My mum and I shopped there, and I also worked there under its different names, fond memories."

Jennifer Charles

"So many different shops! Paying for the loos downstairs and I think when it was Grace Bros had good Santa set up for photos!"

Lindy Lockhart

"I remember it well, although Woodhills is the first memory I have. Not much has changed in the actually building."

Julie Williamson

"Worked there from 1980 to 2003 ( Young's / Grace Bros) until they closed the doors, we all signed our names and how long we each worked there on the wall underneath the main stairs. Would like to know if they are still there. It was a great place to work we were all like family and still stay in touch.

Katrina Osbourne

"I would like to know the same Katrina, if our names are still under the staircase. We had great times and memories there."

Robert Despea

"Only went in when it was Grace Bros and Spotlight. Is it heritage listed? Loved the wooden floors and railings."

Marina Harris

"The staircase is heritage listed. I think there are other parts that are as well."

Levi Black

"I worked for Grace Bros. and when we moved to the South Coast I went in to buy my sons their school shoes. Sadly it closed before I could get a transfer."

Leanne Wilkinson

"Woodhills youngs Grace Bros and Spotlight. Hope developers don't pull it down."

Lyn Watters

"This building holds manly special memories I do hope it is to remain maybe turned into a centre similar to the Queen Victoria building in Sydney."

Trish Nicholson

"Worked there through all the name changes. I'm sure the facade is heritage listed. Yes wonder what will happen to this store."

Christine Hinkley

"Christine Hinkley did you work there when it was Burns Philp?"

Colleen Elliott

"Colleen Elliott Yes I did Colleen."

Christine Hinkley

"When expecting my first child I was shopping in that building and felt very unwell so sat on the first thing I saw which was a set of cases then collapsed often wonder if the case ever regained its shape. (Dec 1972) I think it was Mates store then!"

Lyn Dent

"Lots of memories with heaps of stories."

Kaye Hilaire

"I worked there when it was Grace Brothers."

Steve Daley

"Yep. Young's. Emmett's. Myer. Spotlight. I remember paying for my MBF on the ground floor in the corner."

Wendy King

"Grace Bros - Myer, really miss it "

Sue Weatherby

"Worked with Robyn Morgan in the showroom under Mr and Mrs Dunlop."

Val Coller

"I slid down the bannisters of the stairs when I was five-years-old! It was my favourite thing to do when we went into town when I was a little girl. So many memories."

Lisa Donovan

"This could be turned into the most kickarse live music venue the South Coast has ever seen. But you're not allowed to have fun in NSW anymore."

Les Jones

"I still call it the Grace-Bros building. I always wanted to go for a tour of the underground tunnels from there that run under the CBD. It could make for a good tourist attraction."

Levi Black

"I hope who buys it doesn't pull it down it is an iconic building in now it sad far too many have gone."

Lindy Graham

"Young's /Grace Bros/ Spotlight in my time."

Joan Turner

"Also interesting will be how long council takes to process whatever that interest is so that it fails."

Rosalind Woolmer

"Remember that place well."

Kathy Johnston

"Worked their back in the 70s. Woodhills then."

Ruth Ross

"Worked at Woodhills in the 60s for 4.5 years."

Ida Hitchcock

"Saunas steam rooms gym set up."

Bradley Ellis

"Going to and Myers, Spotlight just shopping days always specials on."

Roz Butterworth

"Is it true there's tunnels underneath and there haunted ?"

Jayden Spencer

"Was that called Woodhills prior?"

Peter Lymbery

"Piano bar and restaurant."

Chris Marsh

"Was it Emmott's before Grace Brothers? And Young's before that or the other way around?"

Karen Turner

"I just hope it doesn't get pulled down and a monolith planted in its place."

Mary Sinnamon

"Two cents to use the toilet down stairs."

Kailene Sutherland

"Should put Big W in there or decent Target store or JB Hi-fi."

Benjamin Philp

"Only remember it as Woodhills."

Dianne Giusti

"Would make a good night club/restaurant/pub."

Aaron Rhys Jones

"Remember Woodhills years ago."

Frances Fahl

"Remember it was Myers."

Salvina Pulis

"Whatever they do, they need to fix the roof to stop the birds getting in."

Kim Marley

"Do they now about 'Claude' ?"

Ralph Cook

"Margaret Leece - did you work here?"

Tonya Hughes