Shopping and buying local has sustained a number of shops through the COVID-19 pandemic in Launceston, but not all businesses have had the same opportunities to keep their clients.
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Businesses that were able to pivot online or function in a similar capacity to usual had gotten by with support from regulars, but pubs still felt the pinch of restrictions.
One prevailing theme was the importance of remaining positive and looking ahead to a new COVID-normal.
The Harvest market has represented a lot of Launceston's response to the pandemic.
At the height of everything the market was forced online and offered a home delivery service, but when restrictions were eased they opened back up and welcomed people back in person.
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Harvest Market manager Caroline Williamson said flipping back to the regular Saturday market showed that people were keen to find a new COVID-normal.
"People really spoke with their feet and wanted to engage with stallholders," Ms Williamson said.
Ms Williamson was positive about the impact COVID-19 had on business in Launceston, and how it reinforced what local customers mean to local businesses.
"One of the great things [that came out of the pandemic] was I felt like people of Launceston realised how important it was to support local and buy local," Ms Williamson said.
Ms Williamson said she had seen figures that showed 70 per cent of every $100 spent locally in Launceston stayed in the local economy.
Ms Williamson said she was confident Launceston was in a great place coming into summer.
"It feels like we are coming out the other end and finding a new COVID-normal," Ms Williamson said.
Bread and Butter co-owner Olivia Morrison said the recent border announcements had not changed much for them.
Aside from the period when Launceston was in lockdown the cafe was able to operate with some semblance of regularity.
"We have traded fairly well through the whole pandemic," Ms Morrison said.
"Our focus is on locals, rather than tourists."
As a result Ms Morrison was coy about how her cafe would look going forward.
"We are ready either way. We are just going to play it by ear, roll with it and adapt as changes come. Which is how we've responded the whole time," Ms Morrison said.
Homewares and lifestyle store Hope and Me was in a similar position.
Hope and Me had the advantage of having an online store which had been able to continue to operate without change and send products throughout Australia.
Store owner Lindi McMahon said the impact of border restrictions being lifted had not changed anything yet.
"It's definitely similar to what it was when everyone first came out of lockdown," Ms McMahon said.
Ms McMahon was grateful Tasmania had been less affected by the pandemic than other states.
"I think it's nice to have a positive outlook, we are very lucky," Ms McMahon said.
Similarly to Bread and Butter, Ms McMahon said Hope and Me operated with a strong local following.
"We don't really rely on tourists and we have a great group of locals who support us," Ms McMahon said.
Ms McMahon was confident there would be change as tourists and those visiting friends and family came back to the Apple Isle.
The story has been a little different for other businesses, particularly pubs.
Down the road at the Royal Oak, like many pubs in Launceston, COVID-19 restrictions changed not only the number of people the pub could welcome, but the way it operated and the atmosphere it could create.
The pub has had to operate at a diminished capacity throughout the pandemic with the public bar, which has a 100 person capacity, having to allow only 30 pub goers in at any one time.
Before the pandemic the Royal Oak was a go to spot five nights of the week, not it is only open for three.
"It's a lot different," Royal Oak owner Wendy Robbins said.
"It's been really tough due to COVID."
Ms Robbins said while the COVID-19 restrictions had hit hard, she was remaining positive about her business going forward.
"I'm hopeful, but because of the square metre rules and no standing and no dancing, it makes it hard to say," Ms Robbins said.
Ms Robbins said she had not noticed more customers through the doors despite interstate tourists coming back into town but was interested to see what the future held.
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