<p>A Sydney cafe that was the scene of a deadly 16-hour siege reopened today, over three months after two hostages died in the terrorist attack staged by a Iran-born gunman inspired by the Islamic State militant group.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The Lindt Cafe reopened to the public at 10am local time, the same time when gunman Man Monis, a self-styled cleric, ordered the doors locked after taking 18 people, including two Indians, hostage inside the eatery in Martin Place.<br /><br />During the dramatic events that unfolded on December 15, Monis made several demands, including that he be given a flag of the Islamic State group.<br /><br />The siege ended after police stormed the cafe in the early hours of December 16 and killed Monis. Two hostages were also killed; one was killed by Monis while the other died after being hit by fragments of a police bullet.<br /><br />Cafe worker Joel Herat, who survived the siege, was present inside the cafe when the doors opened, wearing his signature Lindt apron.<br /><br />It will take a long time to adjust to the fact that it won't be cafe manager Tori Johnson greeting him at the door ahead of his morning shifts, ABC quoted Herat as saying.<br /><br />"He was the first person who would come and greet me at the door, so that will take a long time to adjust to," he said. "Working with these people here, it has helped a lot in the healing process."<br />A bouquet of flowers was tied to a flag pole outside the cafe with a note saying: "The light shines in the darkness and darkness has never put it out."<br /><br />Two gold plaques have been placed at the cafe entrance, referring to the 38-year-old victim Katrina Dawson as "an inspiration" and the 34-year-old Johnson who will be "forever in their hearts".<br /><br />New South Wales Premier Mike Baird, who visited the cafe today, said there was a strong sense of camaraderie in the group.<br /><br />He said the reopening was yet another "incredibly important step" for the city. "They are there because they believe in those who went through what they did."<br /><br />"They are saying that they want to be strong for their friends, they want to be strong for this city and state."<br /><br />Lindt Australia chief executive Steve Loane said the company was looking at the day as a "happy day". He said counsellors would be on site for staff, if needed.<br /><br />"That sadness doesn't go away but today is like a fresh start for a lot of us and, really, to get customers back in our store and see people smiling, and that's what we are about, is probably a fresh start for us," he said.</p>
<p>A Sydney cafe that was the scene of a deadly 16-hour siege reopened today, over three months after two hostages died in the terrorist attack staged by a Iran-born gunman inspired by the Islamic State militant group.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The Lindt Cafe reopened to the public at 10am local time, the same time when gunman Man Monis, a self-styled cleric, ordered the doors locked after taking 18 people, including two Indians, hostage inside the eatery in Martin Place.<br /><br />During the dramatic events that unfolded on December 15, Monis made several demands, including that he be given a flag of the Islamic State group.<br /><br />The siege ended after police stormed the cafe in the early hours of December 16 and killed Monis. Two hostages were also killed; one was killed by Monis while the other died after being hit by fragments of a police bullet.<br /><br />Cafe worker Joel Herat, who survived the siege, was present inside the cafe when the doors opened, wearing his signature Lindt apron.<br /><br />It will take a long time to adjust to the fact that it won't be cafe manager Tori Johnson greeting him at the door ahead of his morning shifts, ABC quoted Herat as saying.<br /><br />"He was the first person who would come and greet me at the door, so that will take a long time to adjust to," he said. "Working with these people here, it has helped a lot in the healing process."<br />A bouquet of flowers was tied to a flag pole outside the cafe with a note saying: "The light shines in the darkness and darkness has never put it out."<br /><br />Two gold plaques have been placed at the cafe entrance, referring to the 38-year-old victim Katrina Dawson as "an inspiration" and the 34-year-old Johnson who will be "forever in their hearts".<br /><br />New South Wales Premier Mike Baird, who visited the cafe today, said there was a strong sense of camaraderie in the group.<br /><br />He said the reopening was yet another "incredibly important step" for the city. "They are there because they believe in those who went through what they did."<br /><br />"They are saying that they want to be strong for their friends, they want to be strong for this city and state."<br /><br />Lindt Australia chief executive Steve Loane said the company was looking at the day as a "happy day". He said counsellors would be on site for staff, if needed.<br /><br />"That sadness doesn't go away but today is like a fresh start for a lot of us and, really, to get customers back in our store and see people smiling, and that's what we are about, is probably a fresh start for us," he said.</p>