Opening a new business at any time is a big deal but opening one in the midst of a pandemic is something else entirely.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Former personal trainer and support worker Lisa Conere was planning to open her new business The Blend Cafe on the corner of Byng and McLachlan streets before the coronavirus hit and on Friday she opened her doors for the first time.
Miss Conere who moved to Orange with her three children last year wanted to open a down-to-earth cafe and restaurant that has pub-style meals.
"It's a cafe during the day and restaurant at night ordinarily, we're only doing take-away at the moment," she said.
"I always like a place where you can get a decent feed with good prices.
"The menu isn't just a cafe menu."
She said the business is also using milk produced by Little Big Dairy Co in Dubbo, she has a wide selection of herbal tea and serves Pablo and Rusty's Coffee.
- READ ALSO: Musician's TikTok meme videos go viral
Miss Conere said she knew that opening a business wouldn't be easy when people are isolating due to coronavirus but she wanted to open the business for herself.
Due to the virus she also lost her job as a support worker so she pushed forward with her business plans and with people not being out and about she is directing them to her Facebook page to spread the word about her opening.
"We had it all set in order to run, we're not fazed, we will get through it," Miss Conere said.
"We are on a good corner here, coronavirus has set us back a bit but we've got a good courtyard out the back and I will have a singer on the weekends, we are licensed here as well."
DO YOU WANT MORE ORANGE NEWS?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...