The sisters set up business last year with their shared love of fashion, and a desire to try something different.

Mrs Geddes has an active thoroughbred business with her husband Luke Geddes in Wingello, and Ms Hamilton was a veterinary nurse in Moss Vale.

They came together and founded their first Montoria Boutique in the heart of Goulburn in late 2020, before they made their way to Bundanoon.

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"We love seeing the looks on people's faces when they get something new," Ms Hamilton said.

Ms Hamilton explained that the "timing was right" after their lease ended in the Tablelands, and that they "always wanted to be in the Highlands."

The pair ventured out and did some "market research" and asked residents in Bundanoon if they were interested in a new boutique, before they opened on June 1.

"We love Bundanoon, and within the first month, we met so many people," Ms Hamilton continued.

"We have loved the face-to-face aspect of being in a community, the locals were fantastic."

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She mentioned that "Bundanoon swelled with visitors", and the boutique attracted customers from Sydney and Canberra.

Ms Hamilton explained the boutique was "really impacted" by Sydney's lockdown, and made the decision to close until further notice last month.

"As soon as Sydney was under lockdown, it died down dramatically," she explained.

"We tried to ride this out and come out the other side.

"Not knowing if there was an end date and something to work towards was really frightening."

The sisters had to assess their budgeting after they made the decision to close, and applied for small business grants.

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"This grant has helped a lot," Ms Hamilton said.

She also expressed her gratitude for Montoria Boutique's customers prior to lockdown.

"Victoria and I wanted to thank Bundanoon and surrounding villages for their support," she began.

"Everyone has been really good with QR codes and masks.

"As an owner that really helps.

"It has given us so much confidence that things would get better."

Highlanders can be updated about the boutique's opening day on their Facebook page.

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