Wodonga business Inspired Cafe will close under Lockdown 6.0

Nikkie and Spencer Burns opened Inspired Cafe on High Street in early May ahead of three state lockdowns and myriad Border Bubble changes.

Ms Burns, who lives with an inoperable brain tumour, said rising debt had forced them to shut temporarily for Lockdown 6.0, which came into effect on Thursday.

Ms Burns said they have lost as much as $30,000 owing to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

"We've pushed through the other lockdowns with takeaway and Menulog but it's costing $400 or $500 a day to stay open," she said.

"We'd just come out of the last lockdown and it takes a couple of weeks to catch up on the bills and all of a sudden we're back in lockdown again."

IN OTHER NEWS:

Ms Burns said they opened the cafe in their hometown, partly to support other Border businesses.

"It breaks our hearts to shut during this lockdown," Ms Burns said.

"This time we still have debt from the last lockdown and we're not going to be able to catch up.

"We want to support other businesses and the community but we can't afford to stay open at the moment.

"After the Border Bubble changes this week we went from half-decent trade to $50 a day; we have a lot of loyal customers from Albury and Lavington."

A mum-of-six, Ms Burns said her children were now learning from home again.

Having launched only last weekend, Rutherglen restaurant Grace by Milkin Kitchen will pivot to take-home meals and drinks during the lockdown.

Canteen by Milkin Kitchen dishes will offer Thai chicken meatballs in coconut broth, Bao Bun Kit and eggplant and adzuki bean con carne.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: