David, chef and director of Miss Amelie Gourmet, was thrilled with the "fantastic" opening day of the gourmet food shop at the Australian Arcade on Thursday.

"We have sold out of everything," he said.

"Everything was made fresh in the morning. We left Wodonga at 5am this morning to get up here."

The project to expand into Wagga has been underway for a few months. The chef trained on the Border before working in England in restaurants owned by celebrity chefs Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay.

Mr Kapay said the city is a hub and was the perfect place to expand into. The new shop is a "heaven" for Wagga foodies, offering restaurant-quality reheatable fare, housemade pies, artisan bread and pastries, pantry supplies, cheese, charcuterie, wine and more.

For those who have been to the Wodonga "mothership" - as Mr Kapay fondly calls it - there will be the option to order a "click and collect".

"I will be back, as it will need me for a little while," he said.

"It will be quite draining as I have to race back to Wodonga for the restaurant.

"But, it was great meeting everyone today who came in."

Mr Kapay said if the customer base grows, there is definitely the potential to expand Miss Amelie Gourmet into a restaurant.

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"If people love what we do, then you never know what the future can hold," he said.

During the coronavirus crisis, business owners have been hard-hit as they deal with the ramifications of lockdowns and social distancing.

With recent events, Mr Kapay admitted some might be surprised at his enthusiasm for expansion into Wagga, with plans to set up in Canberra as well.

"In all the negatives, you have to find the positives," he said.

"You fight hard in the tough times, not just in business but in anything in life. You have to dig deep and keep going.

"Look at the challenge and accept it, and you will make hay while the sun shines."

For anyone not sure what to buy at their first visit to Miss Amelie Gourmet, the chef's favourites are the doughnuts and the red curry, duck pie, Mr Kapay said.

Miss Amelie is open at Shop 10, in the Australia Arcade on Fitzmaurice Street from Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.