Ms Smith has just opened a new business in Leeton - The Mugshot Cafe.

While restricted in what she can and can't do amid lockdown, she said it was now or never when it came to setting up shop.

Ms Smith is already a well-known face in Leeton, having been a photographer in town for many years.

"COVID has made that really hard with no weddings and it also turned out it looks as though I have rheumatoid arthritis, so that was also making my photography really hard," she said.

"So I sat down with my husband and we started talking about our long-term goals.

"I've worked in the fast food industry and I always thought I would want to open my own cafe.

"We said okay 'let's start working towards that'. I had to be working back in the hospitality industry, so I ended up getting a job in McDonald's, so we could show when we do apply for a business loan that I was in the industry.

"We thought, we'll go back to square one and start from there."

However, it was on Ms Smith's first day back at Macca's that a friend went through the drive-thru and made her aware of a cafe that was for sale in Leeton.

"It niggled, so I inquired and we were able to work out a way to do it ... it was take the opportunity now or wait another five or 10 years," Ms Smith said.

Fast forward to now and Ms Smith has opened her very own cafe - The Mugshot Cafe - located in Pine Avenue just up from the Roxy Theatre.

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The name is a play on her love of photography, which she isn't quite giving away all together just yet, as well as coffee.

When residents can dine in, they will also see this name reflected in a fun way on the wall where they can take their own "mugshot" and share it on social media.

The lockdown has thrown a spanner in the works for Ms Smith who was just days away from opening when regional NSW was plunged into the heavy restrictions.

For now, it's takeaways only, but there's a great deal of delicious food and beverages on the menu to enjoy even though customers can't eat-in.

Post-lockdown, Ms Smith has big plans for the business, including extended opening hours to allow for those after-school catch ups with the kids, with friends and all kinds of items on the menu.

She's also open to ideas of what can be put on the menu.

While it has certainly been tough going to open a business right in the middle of lockdown, Ms Smith said she had no regrets.

"I've realised life is too short," she said.

"This is my dream and the opportunity came along, so I had to take it.

"The support of the community has been so wonderful so far.

"I'm still refining what we are doing and we're improving every day.

"I can't thank everyone enough for their support so far. Hopefully once lockdown is over, we will be able to keep growing and offering something different to the community and visitors to town too."

For now, The Mugshot Cafe is open from Wednesday to Sunday, offering everything from coffees and milkshakes to slices, baked goods, salads and other delectable treats.

"Hopefully when the doors open properly, we will see people come in and just enjoy being together again," Ms Smith.

"I think that is what everyone is missing at the moment.

"We'll keep doing our best and improving and hopefully we can welcome everyone in soon."

If you would like to keep up-to-date with The Mugshot Cafe visit its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/The-Mugshot-Cafe-103264688722635.

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