THE jigsaw puzzle bug has hit Albury with sales rising as social isolation increases.
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Who What Why toy store owner Claire Jorgensen said since last Wednesday puzzle sales had rocketed.
"We've gone from selling six puzzles a day to 40 to 50 puzzles a day," Mrs Jorgensen said.
"I'm selling piles of jigsaws all around the country because we've got an online business too.
"Puzzles and family games that's what people are focussing on, things parents can do with kids."
Most jigsaws being sold are 500-piece or more, rather than those designed for little children.
Albury Hobby Centre owner Jim Blackwell has also had a run on puzzles, saying he would normally sell one or two a day but is now offloading up to 12 a day.
Chess sets and model glue have sold out, with sales judged to be double or triple the norm for this time of year.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the nation on Sunday night that his wife Jenny had bought a "whole bunch of jigsaw puzzles" to entertain their daughters.
Mr Blackwell said when he heard that he thought "yeah we're seeing that but at the same time it's not essential".
He now wonders when the government may force him to shut due to COVID-19.
"It's weird times, I don't know what to make of it and what we should be doing," Mr Blackwell said.
"I'm just playing it by ear."
At the Good Games franchise in Dean Street there has also been a spike in puzzle sales, but manager Jess Dunlop said the coronavirus fallout had ended all in-store events.
The shop is usually open to 10pm from Tuesday to Friday with tournaments for games such as Dungeons and Dragons played on the ground and first floors.
They have now migrated to an online portal and Ms Dunlop said players had been "very understanding".
"We just want people to have something to do if they are bored," she said.
Hence a 1500-piece Disney puzzle has Ms Dunlop occupied at home.
