A WODONGA cafe operator already battling border restrictions will pivot the business again on Thursday when stage three restrictions return to regional Victoria.
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La Moka Cafe owner-operator Tiffany van Zanden said she would continue to offer takeaway and an online menu for pickup/delivery to Victorian customers after tighter border restrictions isolated her from her NSW customers.
Ms van Zanden said the border closure 2.0 had stopped her from delivering to Albury patrons, which made up the bulk of her trade since May.
"80 per cent of my customers for online orders came from Albury," she said.
"Up until the tighter border closure, we had adapted delivery times to work around the peak times at border checkpoints.
"We've had to pivot the business a couple of times now."
Based at La Trobe University's Wodonga campus, La Moka Cafe remains open for takeaway meals and coffee and pickup of online orders.
Having closed the cafe for eight weeks during the national lockdown, van Zanden devised a weekly menu for pickup or delivery to border residents from May.
Van Zanden said the weekly menu, which appeared on the Cookaborough online ordering platform, was available for delivery or pickup on Wednesday or Friday.
She said she also offered a daily takeaway menu.
"It's been very, very odd without any students or staff around since March; it's like a ghost town," van Zanden said.
"We want to stay open as long as possible.
"Customers have been fantastic; I haven't seen anyone not wearing a mask this week."
IN OTHER CORONAVIRUS NEWS:
La Moka Cafe now has a presence on YouTube under La Moka Kitchen.
Wodonga bar and restaurant The Goods Shed Craft Beer Cafe will reopen next week for takeaway and delivery services.
The Goods Shed managing director Dan O'Connell said staff were taking a break this week before pivoting the business again from Wednesday.
"We are doing lunch and dinner (takeaway, carpark collect and delivery) Wednesday to Sunday; delivery will be from 4pm," he said.
Wodonga restaurant Italy on a Plate has confirmed it would offer a takeaway-only menu during stage three restrictions.
Co-owner and head chef Carmelo Cardamone said there would be a short trial from today to gauge demand.
"It will be pizza and pasta and a few meat dishes like pork belly and saltimbocca," he said.
"People can order through the store or via the Menulog website."
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