Wagga businesses are changing the way they run in a bid to keep jobs alive as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to close doors.
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Many are turning to delivery and takeaway or extending trading hours to create jobs in different areas of the business not normally needing staffing.
The Thirsty Crow Brewery are leading the charge with a new business model focusing on packing and distribution.
Head brewer Craig Wealands explained it as turning their business into a not-for-profit type service.
"Say we sell a case of beer for $70 and it cost us $50 to make, that $20 profit won't go to us, it will go towards employing someone at the brewery," he said.
"While we don't need staff so much now in areas of cooking or waiting tables, we do now have scope to employ people for packaging up takeaway cartons and even then delivering those products to homes and other businesses."
According to Mr Wealands calculations, selling about 60 cases of beer a week would equate to roughly six jobs. 100 cases would create seven jobs, and 280 cases could create as many as 21 jobs.
"We know we can't solve everyone's employment troubles or sell beer to every person in Wagga, but if this idea will let us help even five, 10, 20 people, then that carries on to the whole community who will then go on to spend locally as well and help Wagga stay afloat," he said.
Mr Wealands said there needed to be a shift in pubic mindset to trust local producers and small businesses in order for the concept to work.
"Big businesses and those outside of Wagga are the ones capitalising on this which you can see by all the empty shelves in every grocery store," he said.
"If people buy local, this idea can benefit everyone from coffee roasters to wineries and other businesses in a similar boat."
The Thirsty Crow are still open for takeaway service between 12pm-7pm daily, but are looking to begin their online ordering venture shortly.
"We hope people will start to place online orders at our new website and we will deliver every Friday to your door, but in addition to that, we are calling on local businesses who are doing okay themselves to also start a partnership with us for a weekly beer package subscription which they can pass on to their customers or even staff," he said.
Ray Ray's Diner is another Wagga hospitality business adapting to the changing environment.
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Owner Jeanette Saxvik said they had turned to delivery services like Menulog as well as extending trading hours.
"We've had our first day yesterday of reopening at 5.30pm until 8pm, and we did get a few customers which was promising for a first go, we hope it grows from there," she said.
Normal trading hours for the diner are between 9am-2pm, where they now do a takeaway service.
"We've unfortunately had to put off one casual weekend worker but all of our other staff are still staying on with reduced hours," Ms Saxvik said.
"We hope we can build them up a bit if the delivery and night time hours pick up.
"It is tough but we are trying our best to adapt and stay afloat."
Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory are another business urging the region to shop locally.
The factory's Rhiannon Druce said they had been hit hard by the government's decision to close dine-in services.
"Unfortunately hours have been reduced here for staff because we're no longer doing things like guided tours or freckle making," she said.
"Normally we'd have about 50 staff members but that has been slightly reduced now."
The business is now offering takeaway services for coffee, cafe goods and meals as well as their chocolate and licorice products.
"People can still purchase in store to take away as we are considered a retailer but they also have the option to shop online and either collect in store, at the Riverina Producers Markets on a Thursday, or have it delivered to their door," Ms Druce said.
"With some of our chefs and restaurant staff stood down, we want to shift the focus to online ordering so we can create those new jobs in packing and delivery, and with Easter around the corner, it's a great idea to start by ordering all your Easter treats in one go to support local business."
Not all businesses have been so lucky in being able to stay open at all, though.
Small business owner Jack Sherriff had hoped there would be a few more trading days before the coronavirus restrictions forced him to close his doors.
Mr Sherriff, who owns body piercing business Modern Primitive, followed all of the recommendations on reducing the risk, but the second wave of restrictions announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison meant he had no choice but to close his doors.
The father of a 15-month-old daughter is worried how he will support his family. Like many, he has rent on his business premises too.
"But I do support what the government is tryIng to do to stop the coronvirus," he said.
Riverina-Murray regional manager of the NSW Business Chamber Andrew Cottrill said the government was trying to be responsive to the concerns of business.