AS if the growing coronavirus pandemic and government regulations weren't hard enough already, then Veldt Restaurant suffered its final blow on the weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Brad and Natalie Myers have owned and run Veldt Restaurant for almost five years - it is their passion, their joy and their inspiration.
"Brad went down to do food prep for Saturday night and found the coolroom was warm and everything was non-salvageable," an emotional Mrs Myers said.
"We can't afford to replace it all and we were only working to pay our suppliers the money we owned.
"It was the last straw ... we are no longer able to trade."
Since the federal government's regulations on restaurants and non-essential gatherings in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19, the fine dining restaurant had moved to offering takeaway.
It was the last straw ... we are no longer able to trade.
- Veldt Restaurant owner Natalie Myers
They had also laid off all six of their staff.
"I sent them an email and then called them and said 'we love you and bear with us' and that everyone's in the same boat," Mrs Myers said.
With takeaway options now also cancelled at Veldt, despite good support from its customers, the couple say they are just "treading water" until the coronavirus pandemic passes and government regulations are lifted.
"We live and breath the restaurant," she said.
"It's our life really, it's our income for our family and we're passionate about food.
"We were supposed to celebrate our five year anniversary [of the restaurant] on May 15."
As a mother and a daughter, Mrs Myers said the spread of COVID-19 was extremely concerning and she feared not enough people in Dubbo were taking it seriously.
Her parents are in the age group that has now been advised not to leave home unless for essential medical care, the couple also have two young children.
"It's been daunting having to explain to my children what a virus is," she said.
While the couple's five-year-old daughter understands, their son doesn't 'get the concept of why we can't go to the park'."
Mrs Myers said Veldt will reopen when they are allowed.
Also closing their doors due to COVID-19 is CSC (Church Street Cafe) with staff making the announcement via social media on Friday.
"Midday today we are going to say bye for now, but not forever," they posted.
What do you think?
Nadine Morton
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
