Following two years of coronavirus restrictions, 2022 marked the first year without lockdowns, and following a large outbreak across the country in January it was business as usual on a restrictions front.
Maude St
The Maude St Mall redevelopment began in September 2021, but stage two — the main thrust of the build — kicked into action in February 2022.
It meant just as COVID-19 restrictions and case numbers came down, boarding came up, splitting the mall in two and making it difficult for pedestrians to enter.
Ten months later, the redevelopment was opened by City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali and Shepparton Chamber of Commerce president John Anderson.
The new-look street allows for one lane of traffic heading south, with street furniture, shelters with solar panels, public art and a new playground.
“It is very exciting, not only for Greater Shepparton, but the Shepparton CBD, and in particular on the back of recent flood events,” Mr Sali said at the opening on December 8.
Staff shortages
Coronavirus rule changes were brought in across the year to allow for fewer restrictions, changing from 14 days’ isolation to seven during the outbreak across summer, then from seven days to five in April.
Limiting these isolation periods allowed businesses that were hit hard by isolation requirements to get workers back on deck — whether that was good for the workers was up for debate.
Check-in codes were ditched in late February, and by April patrons no longer had to show they had received two doses of a vaccine to enter venues. The vaccine mandates for workers in most industries ended on June 24.
Businesses still struggled to find staff. Many people didn’t return to hospitality and fruit-picking jobs, and the slow resumption of immigration meant unemployment was low and many places were still short of workers.
Businesses opening
After two tough years and some empty shopfronts in the Shepparton and Mooroopna CBDs, many new businesses opened their doors this year.
Shepparton had its first 7-Eleven open in February, to the delight of those who popped in for a slurpee or a $1 coffee, while there was a smorgasbord of new food options.
Diner Lazy Moe’s, the banh mi heaven of Vietnamese Street Foods 888, Tatura and Kyabram’s own Shepparton Chargrilled Chicken, gelato emporium Augustus Gallery, pizza place Pranzo’s Cafe and the stylish Belcibo and Co all treated tastebuds across the region as they opened for the first time.
Each of them caused a rush, with Belcibo and Co quickly becoming a staple of the Shepparton fine-dining line-up and Vietnamese Street Foods 888 quickly becoming a favourite of journalists at the News.
Away from food, there were other businesses that opened.
Saint Stella Aesthetics and GV Body Rejuvenation both opened their doors, as did Centre Point Nails and Beauty and the two 360s — Emporium 360 and Nutrition 360, among many other new ventures.
Businesses closing
Some businesses sadly closed through the year, with the region farewelling Shepparton Family Restaurant after three decades.
Owner Lina Lagana bought the restaurant in 2019 from her previous boss, with whom she had worked since it opened 31 years before, in an effort to keep the business going.
Tatura’s long-running Chinese restaurant also closed its doors, as will Shepparton Camera House.