While last year, businesses were eligible for a number of grants and boosts to tide them over until they could reopen, businesses say that this year is a struggle with less support available.

Nathan Guglielmino is the co-owner of Mia Casa, a homewares shop on Banna Avenue. They're currently running click and collect services, but money is still down.

Mr Guglielmino explained that last year had gone well, with the store still being able to operate with social distancing and encouraging customers to avoid window-shopping.

"We were able to operate a bit, that was okay for us and the customer," he said.

He added that government support wasn't as thorough or helpful this time around.

"The government support this time, it doesn't help like it did last time... there was a one-off payment last time and you had a bit of a subsidy and there's just nothing like that this time. It's not like it was when the first wave hit."

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He added that they were looking into possibilities of further support, but said that the next few months would be slim takings in any case. He described their plan as 'paying enough to keep the doors open and keep our workers on.'

Mr Guglielmino says that they're pulling through based on the hope that when things reopen, the community will come back to support them.

"We're very optimistic about what will happen, that's what's keeping us from getting too depressed about the whole thing ... We're just hoping now that when things turn around, that the business gets busy and we can make up for what we've lost."

Glen Castellaro from Riverina Hunting and Fishing says that while they've taken a hit, they're still considering themselves lucky.

"Look, we're paying the rent but that's about it. We're a lot better off than other businesses though," he said.

He added that they were actively avoiding taking the support, as he feels they're in a better position and wanted to leave it for people who need it most.

"If you don't need to, I don't see the point. Obviously if people are going to close down, that's understandable but while I can pay the rent, I'm not going to get involved with it," he said.

He added that he felt Griffith in particular was lucky, in that many of our prime economic sectors are not as heavily impacted by lockdown restrictions.

"We're probably lucky in Griffith. Farmers still need stuff, that sector is still really busy so that's helping this town," he explained.

Not everything is great though, with staff using saved up hours and any holidays on the books. Hours at the store have also been cut, which he says all helps but isn't sustainable forever.

"It's all helping but it depends on how this lockdown goes. We'll just play it by ear... We need the numbers to come down, and while they're high, it's not going anywhere."

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