When Dubbo store owner Kate Griffiths sold a tie to a new customer recently, she had no idea her product and shop would be highlighted in NSW Parliament.
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Treasurer Dominic Perrottet chose the blue-and-white accessory as he delivered his budget speech on Tuesday, highlighting the Lazy Sunday Lifestyle purchase as he told of the impact of the government's COVID-19 support grants.
It was an exciting moment for the retailer after a year in which she temporarily closed her physical shopfront for weeks.
"It was nice to get a shout out to a regional area," Ms Griffiths said.
"[The grants] helped us get back on our feet and spend a bit of money on marketing when we reopened.
"And in the new year, I'm about to do a bit of a new store fit out."
The shop was one of a number of local businesses Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders took the treasurer and Deputy Premier John Barilaro to when they visited last week.
"People like Kate, from Dubbo, who was able to keep her shop going and take it online with the support grants she received," Mr Perrottet said in the chamber on Tuesday
"And I'm very proud to be wearing the tie I bought at Kate's shop last week."
Mr Saunders said it was great to see Dubbo starring in the NSW budget.
"It was a great opportunity to take the treasurer to meet some of our amazingly innovative and resilient business owners in Dubbo, and for us to hear directly from them how the NSW government's COVID-19 support grants have impacted their businesses," Mr Saunders said.
Ms Griffiths says the three MPs nearly cleared her shop out of ties and she is expecting new stock in time for Christmas for anyone wanting to get their hands on the range.
"Be quick, Christmas is coming," Ms Griffiths said.
