Red Dirt Apparel intends to sell work wear, street wear, and sportswear and offer custom embroidery.

"This is my escape plan," long-time local Ms Stephenson said.

Ms Stephenson has operated All-Rite Workwear as an onsite service since 2008, and the street front is a next step. The name changed for this shop, she said.

With a portfolio of customers, past and present, including, the Crookwell High School, the Crookwell Dogs Rugby Union Club, among others, the business has steadily grown through word-of-mouth recommendations.

"I'm more accessible (with a street front), that's the whole thing about it," Ms Stephenson said.

The shop will sell "tradies" work wear, corporate wear, polar fleeces, kids' clothes plus other retail wear, and one of four embroidery machines will be onsite.

For the last 29 years, Ms Stephenson has worked at Goulburn's Correctional Centre.

In the early '90s during the CD boom, Ms Stephenson owned and operated successful music store 'Sam's Soundwaves' on Goulburn Street.

Ms Stephenson supports bringing established services back into the area, and is hoping to build her local clientele.

"We have a belief in Crookwell," she said.

The shop will open on Thursday-Saturday mornings, and by appointment.

It will open on Saturday, May 18.

As a special introductory offer, Red-Dirt Apparel will offer zero setup fees for businesses with an ABN and digitised logo, enquire in-store for details.

In the last two years, more than 50 new businesses have opened in the Upper Lachlan Shire. More than half of these are in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry.

There were nine new construction businesses and six in accommodation and food services.

The Department of Industry, Innovation and Science data showed losses in financial and insurance services and arts and recreation.