Businesses in the Murray Street area have taken to social networking service Instagram to highlight the Port Macquarie precinct amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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They are sharing stories behind the businesses and highlighting their connection to community.
Arthouse Industries owner Skye Petho said the Instagram page gave a sense of connectedness and support for businesses.
Ms Petho emphasised the importance of supporting small businesses in light of the pandemic.
"We are trying to highlight the importance of locals spending money with locals," she said.
"If you spend with a little guy in town, they spent their money with another little guy. That is such an important part of us staying vibrant post-COVID."
Ms Petho said businesses relied heavily on tourist dollars.
It is really important if you are going to spend money, and you are local, that you spend with small businesses in town.
- Skye Petho
The Greater Sydney lockdown, border closures and COVID-related uncertainty are all influencing the business environment.
"It is really important if you are going to spend money, and you are local, that you spend with small businesses in town," Ms Petho said.
Businesses continue to adapt during this time.
Arthouse Industries, for example, has launched creative kits online in response to the COVID situation, as well as making some adjustments to keep running classes.
Over at Four Espresso, the business continues to attract customers on their way to work or early morning exercise but trade slows during the day as the impact of the pandemic is felt.
The Murray Street business is closing one hour earlier as a result.
Four Espresso owner Steve Payne said local trade was their backbone at the moment.
"Everyone is in the same boat and we all have to stick together being a small community," he said.
Drury Lane owner Drury Woolnough said the tourist trade just wasn't around and they didn't really have the office trade as people worked from home.
The CBD business captured the office trade between the two lockdowns through workers having business meetings at the cafe but that had now reverted to Zoom meetings.
Mr Woolnough said it was a benefit he owned the business but he felt responsible for the staff and their wellbeing, and unfortunately awful decisions had to be made.
The downturn has forced the business to shed 90 per cent of its staff.
Drury Lane has reduced its hours and reintroduced takeaway pizzas and take-home dinners, in addition to the main menu.
Mr Woolnough said we would get through this time.
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