Launceston business owner Nathan Cairns weathered the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic and, like many others, was shut for months.
"The first couple of months were obviously pretty tough," Mr Cairns said.
However, two years on, things are better than ever and he's now expanding into a second venue a few doors away.
"Conceptually, the new one will be a bit different from the wine bar. It's going to be a speak-easy, juke joint, dive bar-type space, cocktails and just a great place to hang out," he said.
The new venue is one of 15 new businesses that have opened in the Launceston CBD since July this year.
"I grew up here. I've been coming back and forth for, maybe, the last 10 years and just seeing the progress. Even in the last five years, to see the progress, it's really exciting," he said.
"There probably weren't any small bars in Launceston five years ago and now, yeah, there's a few … it's a good time to be here."
A few streets away, friends Ciarra Dundas and Josh Brown have opened up a late-night dumpling and cocktail bar in St John Street.
"I thought it was something that was missing from Launceston and I noticed that this space had been available for quite a number of years so thought it would suit it perfectly," Mr Brown said.
The pair have worked together before and were eager to fill the market gap for dinner in the city after 9 pm.
"There's not too many places available, other than pizza and bain-marie food, so it's really exciting to offer something different," he said.
Ciarra Dundas said the project has, however, come with its challenges.
"There was a moment there where nothing was happening and I was like, 'Oh my goodness, what have I got myself into?' But now it's open and everything is levelling out so, yeah, [I'm] really happy with it," Ms Dundas said.
Oliver Oxley is the venue manager at Launceston's latest brewery and dining hall, a plan that's been in the pipeline for several years.
"I think anyone who's been to Launceston knows Sunday, Monday sometimes it's hard to find anywhere that's open, so we're happy to fill that gap," he said.
A change for Launceston's CBD
Launceston has struggled for years to attract people into the city. A lack of retail stores, poor parking options and limited food outlets in the Brisbane Street Mall have been issues in the past.
Many commercial properties also have a high vacancy rate and shopfronts can sit empty for months.
The Launceston Chamber of Commerce said that could all be in the past now.
"The vacancy rate keeps dropping and Launceston is looking really good at the moment. We've got a number of businesses moving into the CBD," chamber president Will Cassidy said.
"Full shops and shops that are busy mean a more vibrant city and more promising for other businesses that want to come along."
Last year, Launceston was designated a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, one of just 49 around the world.
Maddi Biggalar from Launceston Central City said businesses were capitalising on that reputation.
"We're not letting it die off — we're actually embracing it," she said.
"I think, looking at the type of businesses that have opened in that time, the majority are hospitality, 90 per cent of those are, and I think that has to speak on the City of Gastronomy."
"It's a really exciting time."
