The historic New South Wales town of Braidwood is hurting.
The Currowan bushfire, a 300,000-hectare inferno burning since December last year, has severed the arterial road between the ACT and the South Coast, deterring Canberrans from visiting the region.
It has also put a stop to holiday traffic, and the lack of thoroughfare has forced some Braidwood businesses to close for the foreseeable future.
For local businesswoman Fiona Mutton, whose great grandparents opened Len Mutton & Co 107 years ago, the thought of shutting is unbearable.
"I won't surrender," she said, despite the store never encountering such a "devastating situation" before.
"December and January account for about 35 per cent of our annual turnover and we rely heavily on that bumper-to-bumper traffic that we would normally see this time of year, of all the Canberrans coming through to the Coast.
"And as you can see from the streets outside, it's a ghost town.
"It could change our beautiful town irreversibly."
Ms Mutton, who has stopped paying herself, broke down in tears as she described having to cut the hours of her 10 employees.
"I'm very conscious of my staff's commitments with family and mortgages and bills to pay," she said.
"Unfortunately, that's no longer sustainable.
"I'm the fourth generation to stand behind the counter and serve in this beautiful old store.
"The ship's not going down with me, but they're very difficult times."
Ms Mutton is not alone in her experience.
While the community has so far avoided the direct impact of bushfire flames, the indirect impacts have been crippling for locals' livelihoods.
Barista Tyler Shane Smith, who works at the famous Braidwood Bakery, said business has been significantly slower.
"Usually at this time of year, we're doing about 1,200 to 1,500 coffees per day," he said.
"Some days, we've been down to about 50. It's pretty slow on the coffee."
Mr Smith, who is a casual employee, is considering taking his resume to Canberra to try and pick up extra work.
"We've had our shifts cut back quite a bit," Mr Smith said.
"With the road closed it's really difficult to get enough work.
"There's nothing we can do. We can't create work for ourselves. We've just got to do what we can do get by, unfortunately."
The downturn in trade is also affecting Bungendore, 50 kilometres along the Kings Highway towards Canberra.
"The smoke's coming back in and I don't think I've had anyone in for at least an hour and a half," Tim Bowcock, who owns Village Antiques in Bungendore, said.
"Look at it now, it's dead. You could walk across the street without opening your eyes."
The plea from residents in Braidwood and Bungendore alike is for Canberrans to start treating the area as a day trip destination, rather than a pit stop.
"Anything that you could do to help would be so greatly appreciated," said Ms Mutton.
Mr Bowcock said even a small contribution could make an impact.
"Come out. Buy a burger, buy a coffee, buy a candle, just come out," he said.
"Even $20 at a shop makes a huge difference."
