Chris Baskett, co-owner of Books A Plenty, described the last year as "tumultuous". Photo / George Novak
"Tumultuous", an "emotional roller coaster" and a "whirlwind" is how Tauranga business owners have described the year since the Covid-19 lockdown.
Business owners were forced to close their doors and faced several weeks without trade when the entire nation went into self-isolation on March 25.
Retailers and those in the hospitality industry had to trial survival tactics as they adapted to a new norm, but a year on, some have described having their busiest days yet.
Crown & Badger owner Jessica Rafferty said the last 12 months had been a "whirlwind" of a year.
"It was reassuring throughout the year to know you were not the only one dealing with this, that it was nothing you're doing wrong. I am so proud of everyone who is still open and going well.
"I don't think anything can surprise me now."
Ghost kitchens were introduced at the Crown & Badger as hospitality businesses trialled survival tactics to connect with customers in a new contactless level 3 world.
Rafferty said the idea for people to order anything from poutine fries to pub-grub and have it delivered from the same kitchen on The Strand was one way the business pivoted post-lockdown.
The ghost kitchen had since closed after serving its purpose as the pub focused on the future.
"We are so thankful for the local support. We've had some of our best days ever this year."
However, Rafferty said finding staff had been a challenge post-lockdown with the borders still closed.
"I've lost a few of my staff whose visas have expired. It's staff at all levels too that are quite hard to find."
Chris Baskett, co-owner of Books A Plenty, described the last year as "tumultuous".
However, she said things were not as dire as expected.
"We've been on the winning end of a couple of a few things. We saw a resurgence of reading as an activity and a very strong buy local feeling.
"We've been the lucky recipients of both of those things."
Remembering back to March 25 last year, Baskett said one of her strongest memories of lockdown was the silence.
"Our daily walks through the CBD was like a ghost town. You almost expected the tumbleweed to roll past.
"It was bittersweet seeing all the plants dying. That was probably one of my strongest memories."
Level 3 was very "admin heavy" as many businesses moved to online audiences.
Books A Plenty operated with doors closed via phone, online and email orders, as well as contactless delivery.
It was then that Baskett said the business discovered the use of payWave through the window.
"That was a great example of pivoting when we discovered that. It was wonderful and fun.
"The online presence in level 3 was so strong. We have refined that."
Baskett said as a business owner she had learned the importance of how "vital" loyal customers were.
"We've been so loved and supported by our customers... we have just become stronger."
Baskett said the business had since pivoted back to New Zealand publishers due to freight delays.
"We support our local suppliers and encourage the reading of local NZ books."
Tauranga Menswear's Matthew Manninen said he remembered the day the country went into lockdown like it was yesterday.
"It was an emotional rollercoaster going into lockdown. There was a lot of uncertainty."
Re-opening on May 14 was "nerve-racking" but as shoppers bought into buying local they were able to push through, Manninen said.
"We have no complaints when it comes to trade. When we did open again we were blown away by the support of people in Tauranga.
"We had some of our busiest periods in the first two months we were opened."
Manninen said the business moved to dealing with overseas stock being delivered directly to the store.
"It was something we thought was not possible a year ago and now it gives us a point of difference. We are getting more and more overseas stock direct."
Manninen said the business had to identify a new normal early on once reopening.
For example, he said suits were no longer in demand as more people worked from home and weddings were postponed so they rearranged the store to accommodate for a new normal.
"We just had to recognise change."
Looking ahead, Manninen said he had learned to take each day as it comes.
"I'm prepared in case things get a bit tough but for us it's about making sure we're not overly worrying about things out of our control."
He said in another year March would look a lot different again.
"I just hope all the lessons we've learned through this don't get forgotten."