By Mikayla van Loon
As restrictions eased once again across the state, it meant a lot of different things to businesses in both Lilydale and Mooroolbark.
While some were left confused about what they had to do, others were overjoyed that they didn’t have to turn customers away for inside dining.
Owner of Harrow and Harvest in Lilydale, Frazer, said going from a capped 70 patrons to not having to turn anyone away was such a relief.
“It’s amazing. I think everyday we were probably turning away about 100 people at the door. So that was really hard for business obviously,” he said.
Now the cafe located on Castella Street can safely seat up to 150 people to bring them to full capacity.
“We opened our business in July last year and that was six days before stage four so this is the first time in history we’ve ever not had a restriction. We went from three staff members to 30,” Frazer said.
Harrow and Harvest have also been able to return to doing functions and bottomless brunch for larger groups, as well as welcome mums and bubs groups back to the designated play and seating area.
For places like Brycee’s Tavern in Mooroolbark, the lifting of capped patronage means the live music venue can get back to selling out a full house for local bands every Friday night.
But while the excitement about getting back to normal is how most people are feeling, there is an overshadowing of uncertainty for retailers.
Nicky from Sadie and Co Boutique in Mooroolbark said as just an employee of the shop, it is nerve racking to potentially have to tell people they cannot shop in the store because they are not fully vaccinated.
“I don’t feel very comfortable but I also think that it’s necessary. There’s a couple of people that really make a point of saying [they are not vaccinated],” she said.
“I guess that kind of makes me feel uncomfortable because I know that from today, if they were to come in and they’re loyal customers, they love shopping here and they’re always coming in, if I have to then tell them to leave because this isn’t my shop then it makes things really awkward.”
Although she hasn’t had to have the conversation with anyone about being unvaccinated yet, Nicky is dreading it.
“I do know the ones that will be coming in and I do dread it because I think they’re not going to be happy about it.
Even though the change in restrictions was expected when Victoria reached the 90 per cent vaccination target, Nicky said it was much more of a challenge swapping from just thinking about it to actually doing it.
“It’s kind of like that dreaded day, like this is the day that I have to actually act on it.”
