With new business comes stress, worry and of course the reason why owners take the chance - for the fun and reward.

2020 hasn't been much fun for Cafe Liv'indi owner Marlene Schumann who signed the lease for her cafe in February.

The coronavirus pandemic really took hold which made her business venture be put on hold - but allowed time to really be prepared for opening.

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And what an opening.

Ms Schumann said the community support was "overwhelming" - so much so at one stage the small cafe had employed up to eight people which wasn't including herself or her daughter, Karissa.

"We found people were hanging out for something different and I was gobsmacked with how busy we were," she said.

"We were starting to boom and really finding our momentum and staff were picking up all the processes and systems we had in place.

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"Next minute, after four and a bit weeks, we were put under restrictions and couldn't operate as normal."

Ms Schumann said despite being able to trade for takeaway only was beneficial in some ways but some days it wasn't viable financially.

"We kept on one staff member and unfortunately I've had to cut back her hours now as well," she said.

"It's heartbreaking and just devastating. What do you say to these staff members? When I went into business it's conversations I never thought I would have to have with my staff.

"Checking in on staff and ensuring their health and wellbeing is ok has never been more important as it is right now.

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"We're at a loss with trade but staff will need to be retained when they come back on board. It will be almost as if we have to start from scratch again."

Ms Schumann said she believed the cafe was a place for social get together and gatherings which were something residents of Stawell were really missing at the time.

"I had a lady come in today in tears," she said.

"It's all about mental wellbeing. People need to get out and go somewhere. It's not about me and my business. It's about everyone from business owners, to employees, to customers - it's got to the stage now where people are really struggling.

"People are becoming brokenhearted."

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Miss Schumann who works with her mother in the cafe said she had spoken to a few customers who expressed their disappointment with not being able to sit down and chat with friends.

"Some of our regulars asked if we would continue to open," she said.

"I told them, of course, we would so they were welcome to come and get their takeaway coffees. They told me there was no point. They come in and buy coffee so they can sit down and talk to one another."

Ms Schumann said she believed reopening for businesses could be looked at from a local government area.

"We haven't had any cases for a whole month and those cases we've had haven't spread it throughout the community," she said.

"If our shire could open like a little bubble, locals could support local businesses a lot more.

"There are so many rules into place it's so hard to keep up with what's going to be next. There is no way you can plan for anything in the future - it's so uncertain."

Miss Schumann said because the business was so new, after researching all avenues there was no government support available.

"We aren't eligible for JobKeeper or for any business grants because we registered the business after March 1, despite signing the lease in February," she said.

"The only thing that is keeping us afloat right now is evening meals which are done by order. Without this, it wouldn't be viable to stay open."

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