'For the love of your local' campaign, run by Carlton United and Australian Hotels Association, let locals missing their local buy vouchers or donate to support them when doors reopened.

Across the state, the initiative put back a grand total of $1,785,280, just shy of their $2 million goal.

While the Courthouse and Railway Hotel in Gunnedah remained open over the lockdown period, they had 54 purchases over the three months.

Part-owner Josh Launders said it wasn't something they actively pushed, which meant what they did get was extra special.

"Knowing our customers actively sought us out on the website to make a donation, it's pretty special," he explained.

40 vouchers were purchased by one loyal customer, and he's at the ready to use them now.

For the Pig and Tinder Box in Tamworth, the campaign complemented the community support they received during the height of the closures.

Remaining open doing takeaways and coffees, Aaron Day, part of the management team, loved the idea.

"Certainly we loved the concept, and it was a great initiative by Carlton to give people in the community the chance to give back to our venues," Mr Day said.

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"We were open for takeaway the whole way through, and had many people coming in for coffee and food.

"It was heartwarming having that in-person support, people were great in coming in, getting a coffee or burger or pizza, whatever it was, and the support felt stronger that way rather than online."