A hostage runs towards a police officer outside Lindt cafe, where other hostages were held, in Martin Place in central Sydney in this December 15, 2014 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

SYDNEY - A Sydney cafe that was the site of a deadly siege has reopened three months after a gunman took 18 people inside hostage.

Lindt Cafe worker Joel Herat, who survived the siege, was behind the counter when the doors opened Friday.

Gunman Man Monis took 18 people hostage inside the cafe in December. The standoff ended after police stormed the cafe in a barrage of gunfire, killing Monis.

Two hostages were also killed. Plaques dedicated to each of them were installed inside the cafe.

Lindt Australia CEO Steve Loane said in a statement that reopening the cafe was the right thing to do. New South Wales state Premier Mike Baird said it symbolized the importance of moving forward.