Hill Top's small businesses are loved by people across the Highlands and beyond, and are one of the many things that make the town unique.
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The Southern Highland News asked three businesses what they have noticed in Hill Top since more people have been allowed into the northern village.
Hill Top Hair & Beauty Studio
Business owner and manager Kelly Arnold said it was great to be back, creative with customers.
"Just seeing everyone and hearing everyone's stories, they're like family," she said.
Ms Arnold said business picked up throughout the pandemic and once restrictions were lifted.
"The lockdown did put stress on us, we worked extra hours and extra days, sometimes until 11pm on Thursdays," she said.
"It's calmed but coming up to the Christmas rush."
Ms Arnold said it would be busy until after Christmas and said that the pandemic "has done us a little favour".
"It's lovely and busy and not chaotic," she said.
Ms Arnold said extra staff which has made it "better and more comfortable".
She also said that there was a mix of customers who needed to fix their home beauty efforts and others "did a pretty good job" being hairdressers at home.
The business is also a finalist in this year's Southern Highlands Local Business Awards.
Hill Top Pizzeria and Takeaway
Business owner Lalin Ranatunga said business picked up throughout lockdown and the pizzeria had waiting times of one hour on Friday nights.
The pizzeria had to stop taking orders at 6.45pm one night in the last week of lockdown, because 110 pizzas were ordered in an hour.
"It was a pretty stressful and amazing day and showed how busy it could get," he said.
The change in pace provided the business owner with a new opportunity.
"If COVID did anything better for the area, we employed more people, that's a significant positive for us," he said.
He said staff resided in Colo Vale, Hill Top and Balmoral and between the ages of 16 and 21.
"They get a fair bit of experience working in a busy hospitality environment, so we are building skills for the younger generation," he said.
Lara Coffee & Co.
Business owner and manager Lalin Ranatunga said there were different factors that were beneficial to the café throughout lockdown.
"During lockdown, the biggest thing was local, coming cause you didn't have to travel too far," he said.
"Pretty much everyone in Hill Top drive past this parade.
"We were always takeaway, we didn't have to shut down, which benefited us."
The business owner said that "having low costs in set-up" and "not having single large liabilities" were also beneficial.
Sales also increased between 10 to 20 per cent during the "heavy lockdown".
Since restrictions have eased, Mr Rantatunga said that the café has quietened down but was "pre-lockdown" normal.
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Briannah Devlin
I like to write about arts, entertainment, any local reality tv leads, and property for the Southern Highland News and Goulburn Post, but also report on everything in between. If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au, or call 0439142204.
I like to write about arts, entertainment, any local reality tv leads, and property for the Southern Highland News and Goulburn Post, but also report on everything in between. If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au, or call 0439142204.
