After a weekend where many of our local hospitality businesses thrived, they have yet again been placed into a period of uncertainty. It makes planning incredibly difficult when reopening could occur in as few as 14 days, but the opening date remains indefinite.
Owner of Cafe Dolcetto Leigh Robinson says the cafe put in a large stock order after a busy weekend, only to be back to being far quieter this week.
“It’s just more that we were all excited to finally open. We bought all our stock, and I guess we’ve just had an amazing two days and then we’re locked down again.”
“We’ve just got too much stock. I think that’s our biggest fear. We’ve over-ordered because we had such a busy weekend,” she said.
It was especially quiet on Tuesday morning, as it seemed most of Yass was out getting tested. Leigh’s personal experience in Yass over the weekend has her apprehensive about what the future may hold when it comes to Covid cases in the area.
“On the weekend there were so many people out and about. We had a lot of people in here and my fear is they’ve opened too soon,” she said.
While business concerns are one thing, Leigh is especially worried for her staff, many of whom will not return to work until restrictions are eased.
“It’s the staff that I feel really sad for. You bring them on and we’re all excited that we’re back together, and then I had to ring them yesterday and say ‘sadly I don’t have any shifts for you’,” she said.
Head Chef Trent Saltmarsh said to expect specials at the cafe in the coming days and weeks, as they attempt to use as much of the stock as possible.
“As a business that’s been in the industry for a long time now, we’ll work out ways that we can utilise that stock with specials and just do what we can to use it up,” he said.
The recent announcement of a lockdown has extended what has been a “tiring” period for local businesses.
“Businesses are tired and they’re hurting. We’re thankful that we can open up to what we can but it would be nice if everyone played their part and do the right thing, and everyone help each other out,” said Trent.
Was reopening over the weekend worthwhile? Or has it just now set in motion a process that may be long and more drawn out than we would’ve required had we just stayed in lockdown. Send us your opinion in writing to the editor@yassvalleytimes.com.au
Max O’Driscoll
