Long-term Scribbles Cafe patron Denise Flack is nearing the end of her tenure behind the counter and wants to see the city thriving again.

“We’ve been here about 10 years and it’s still a great business but we’re looking to sell and move on, maybe get a coffee or ice cream van,” she said.

“It can be tough though - there are so many eateries along the main street that I think everyone is struggling a bit.

“I don’t think it’ll ever be the same again.”

Business closures have fueled community debate since November last year, however, Mrs Flack believes when it comes to rebuilding the local economy, less is more.

“Personally, I think more businesses is the wrong focus,” she said.

“Look at the other side of Fitzmaurice Street - five out the seven shops opposite us are empty and some have been empty for up to nine years.

“You’ll never fill those and even if you did, it would make it harder for the existing shops.”

The alternative, then, lies in residential.

“What we need to do is focus on injecting more people into the main street on a residential basis,” she said.

“Let’s look at building up and creating two or three bedroom apartments in walking distance of the CBD - imagine living in a Wagga highrise like that.”

Already, the idea is coming to fruition; council last week approved a development application lodged by Strawbird Pty Ltd for the construction of 11 two storey dwellings at 210-212 Fitzmaurice Street.

In a report, council assessment officer Amanda Gray wrote the proposed development “will have a positive public interest with the provision of additional housing within an accessible location that is identified for medium density developments”.

Some concerns have been raised over the development, largely regarding bin collection with a heightened residential density, however Mrs Flack wants to see even more introduced.

“ Just build up – high rise residential areas like that would create so much foot traffic for main street businesses,” she said.

“You’d be filling up empty shops, giving people homes and helping local stores all in one go.”