"There's some excitement, a little bit of a buzz about the place, which is nice because we haven't had that for a while."
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That's the observation of Jaimi Jackson from Mittagong's Glass Cafe, who this week, along with the other 16 or so staff members, has been busy ordering supplies and setting the cafe up again to serve customers at tables inside and out after weeks of takeway only.
With the appropriate social distancing, the cafe can fit 32 people inside and 40-50 outside.
"We're hoping for good weather," she said.
"We've been reorganising some of the furniture, reordering all the stock - it's all hands on deck trying to pretty up the building."
All their staff have had their first COVID-19 vaccination, and most have had their second, and are champing at the bit to get back to business.
And so are the customers.
"We're fully booked for our first Friday night, and we'll have (musician) Bob Rodgers performing," said Ms Jackson.
"Customers have been asking when they can come in, and of course we have to check if they're vaccinated when they book."
On Monday, Glass Cafe will have a dedicated staff member checking vaccine certificates.
One of the most-missed services during lockdown, judging by social media comments, has been hairdressers, and local snippers are setting up for a massive first week back.
"We're fully booked for the first week and people are a bit put out that they can't get an appointment," said The Shampoo Lounge's Angelina Davenport, who will be the only hairdresser on duty for most of the week due to a recent resignation.
"I feel a bit anxious about going back to work, which is weird because I've worked my whole life. But it's going to be busy."
She is keeping a waiting list for appointments in the first week, and although she's trying to convince clients to lock in a later date, she does understand the sense of urgency.
"People just want to look better and feel better about themselves, now that they'll all be going out again.
"It's about getting back to feeling normal."
She had already re-ordered stock and tidied up the premises early in lockdown, before it was extended.
While she's eager to return, Ms Davenport said she personally hasn't minded being forced to stay at home for a while.
"It's been so nice to do stuff around the house that I don't normally do," she said.
"We've been doing really long walks, when normally exercise has to be quite planned, and spending time with the kids."
Retail businesses are also excited to be throwing open the doors, which have been forced shut in the Wingecarribee since August 14.
The owner of Mossy Store, Genevieve Furzer, said she used to the weeks to completely refurbish the shop, something she'd wanted to do for some time.
"It's all bright and sparkly and new, wih a new facade and inside as well," said Ms Furzer.
"I've been wanting to do for a while and this was the opportunity."
"The stock is a little bit different, but everything is displayed in a much more organised in a way."
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