WHILE another Queen's Birthday long weekend was hit with COVID-19 restrictions, business owners are looking ahead to a good school holiday period with restrictions easing for metropolitan areas and the hope interstate travel can resume.
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Una Sosta owner Leanne Panozza said she was pleased with how busy the café was over the long week and the ongoing support from the community.
"We are there to offer a service back to our community even though we didn't necessarily have the tourists like we were anticipating," she said.
"It was still a positive weekend. People were out and going for bike rides and walks.
"We were very glad to see a steady flow of people."
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Ms Panozza said the community were appreciative to be able to come to Una Sosta, located opposite May Park, over the long weekend.
"We appreciate the community support," she said.
Ms Panozza said they are looking forward to the upcoming school holidays.
"Now Melbourne and Victoria are open we have people coming to visit our region," she said.
"The locals were out and about as well."
Emily Lukazsewski, co-owner of Bonnie and Clyde's pizza bar on Firebrace Street, said the long weekend was good for business.
Bonnie and Clydes opened in its new location after relocating from Pysent Street on Thursday, May 27.
"It's been really good," Ms Lukazsewski said, adding that these restrictions had been easier than previous ones, due to the popular pizzeria's recent relocation.
"We don't really have a full dine-in anymore, so we don't have to stress about that as much," Ms Lukazsewski said.
"It's a lot better and a lot less stressful," she said.
Ms Lukazsewski said she hoped the easing of restrictions meant more business for the region.
"Hopefully it gets busier for the town, with people travelling to the Grampians and such," she said.
Sit down service struggled more, according to The Exchange Hotel owner, Nick Murray.
"We were as busy as we were allowed to be," he said.
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Mr Murray said the Exchange remained closed on the Monday of the Queen's Birthday long weekend because it "wasn't worth opening the doors".
"We couldn't afford the penalty rates because there is no financial support from the government."
Due to restrictions, Mr Murray said the pub could only have a maximum of 75 patrons inside the venue and 75 outside.
"It was reasonably quiet given that we had no travellers from Melbourne," he said.
"It was down probably 75 per cent of a normal long weekend."
Mr Murray said the business has to take that hit and try to get back on track.
"I'm dumbfounded as to why we have restrictions at all for country Victoria given we have had zero cases," he said.
Mr Murray said he is "cautiously optimistic" with restrictions easing and the school holidays coming up.
"If we see a spike in numbers, a lockdown or circuit breaker isn't out of the question," he said.
He said the hotel was open as "community service."
"I'm trying to give my staff some hours because we're not in a position where we can make a profit," Mr Murray said.
"It was a bit soul destroying not having the usual vibe and buzz around the town that we get from having visitors. That out of town money has become vital for us."
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