A carpet of flowers covers Martin Place. Source: NewsComAu

Office workers, shopkeepers and residents of Martin Place are reaching out to each other for support.

Parties and lunches cancelled, this neighbourly community is looking inward for answers.

Nick Gourlas, who owns Silks, a cafe just across the road from Lindt, says everyone is reeling.

“We feel so sorry for them,” Mr Gourlas told news.com.au. “Lots of people are touched by it.

“Phillip Street will never be the same again.

Silk’s cafe owner Nick Gourlas says the siege has changed things. Source: Facebook

The path is covered in chalked tributes from strangers and friends. Source: News Corp Australia

Tori Johnson's family visited the makeshift memorial to say goodbye. Source: News Corp Australia

Sheik Wesam Charkawi embraces Mr Johnson’s stepdad Daniel Piazza. Source: News Corp Australia

Mr Johnson's mother Rowena visited Martin Place to take in the public support. Source: News Corp Australia

“Normally, everybody’s happy, everybody knows each other, everybody’s tight-knit.

“The barristers are a tight-knit group.”

The cafe owner, whose premises sit beside several chambers, knew victim Katrina Dawson as a “quiet, happy” person.

“She never complained, she always let people in front of her.”

As for her brother Sandy, a barrister from Banco Chambers: “He was the most popular person around.”

Another Silks regular is at the counter, sharing his story with a barista. He had been meeting a fellow lawyer in the Lindt cafe building when the siege began, and could see the hostages’ hands up on the windows to his right. Eventually, he had to escape down a ladder out of a window.

Opposite Silks, in stationery shop Australian Forms, a woman is buying a condolence book for the foyer at her barrister’s firm, after being inundated with requests.

Jade, Michelle and Christine from St George brought flowers from their office after they were put into lockdown. Source: Supplied

Nolene, Linda and Preeti said the surreal event had changed Sydney. Source: Supplied

Tori Johnson regularly shopped there, for toner and envelopes. “He was a nice bloke,” said shop manager Roy Elias. “He didn’t seem like he had a bad bone in his body. He was friendly, he would talk to other customers, and the barristers.

“It’s so close to home. We’re just not in the mood today.”

Martin Place has been packed with wellwishers over the past few days, queuing to pay their respects at the makeshift memorial and write in the condolence books.

Flowers spill across Martin Place and out from the black plastic-covered railings that surround the Lindt building.

The ground is covered with notes scrawled in chalk, coffee cups with the victim’s faces on and tributes from strangers and people with a personal connection to the tragedy.

In Martin Place station, which reopened at 10am on Wednesday, florist Skye Owens said she had sold a week’s-worth of flowers in three hours.

“It’s 1pm and we’re waiting for another delivery. It’s just crazy. Every time a train comes in it’s another load of people.”

Sofia Guerreiro said she was thinking of the families. Source: Supplied

Carmelle from Sans Souci, Sydney, came to pay her respects. Source: Supplied

Musicians played “Let It Be” and urged passers-by to “embrace in Martin Place”. Source: NewsComAu

Well-wishers from all cultures and backgrounds crowded Martin Place. Source: Supplied

Jessica Tse said the sea of tributes was “bittersweet”. Source: Supplied

But the manager of a larger florist on Phillip Street said Christmas was looking very different now. “We’ve been going crazy today, but we’ve had so many functions and client lunches cancelled.

“The loss of business is enormous, but we’re happy just selling to cost. We don’t want to be greedy with people paying their respects.

“Everyone knows someone affected.”

Most of the area’s retail and hospitality workers have stories of fear, confusion and glimpses of the horror unfolding across the street.

“We could see the hostages with their hands on the windows,” said florist Jessica. “The police said ‘everybody out’, it happened so quickly. It doesn’t feel like we should be working today.”

The shop has been giving out cards for people to write in. Everyone has a message, from local barristers to 50-year-old tradies.

A group of students who knew a Lindt cafe worker wrote in their card, “Thanks for protecting our friend”.

Hostage and Lindt cafe worker Hariette Denny with fiance George in Martin Place. Source: News Corp Australia

Lindt cafe workers pay their respects. Source: News Corp Australia

Mr Johnson’s colleagues left their Christmas party photo in tribute. Source: News Corp Australia

A nearby convenience store worker said he had just been into the Lindt cafe to buy a mocha when the siege began.

He was evacuated to his home across the street, and then evacuated from there too.

“I met up with a friend in Hyde Park for a few hours. When we heard gunshots, we went back, and it was all over.”

He said many of his friends didn’t want to come to the city now.

One law firm in the area is setting up counselling for shaken staff. Other offices have held collections and brought bouquets of flowers to the scene.

Linda Mellows was representing Meridian Lawyers. She said some of her co-workers had known Katrina, and said she was a “wonderful person”.

“This shouldn’t be allowed to change how we do things.”

Jade from St George Bank said: “We’re just up the road, so we were put in lockdown. There was anxiety, and adrenalin. We had to come, everyone’s united.”

Thousands of people line up at the temporary memorial site. Source: AP

Everyone agreed it was good to see the city trying hard to get back to normal, but that something intangible was different.

“I hope the families get the strength they need,” said Sofia Guerreiro. “It’s sad to see that happen in our city. It really upset me because it could have happened to our friends.”

Sheik Wesam Charkawi said he wanted to come and join in paying his condolences to the families.

“This has really touched hearts. It’s the whole community, this is a real display of Australian character.

“We felt the need to show we’re here for them.”

He was later seen embracing Mr Johnson’s stepfather Daniel Piazza.

Muslims from Seeker Hub Sydney in Riverwood had come with a large homemade wreath.

“When you love someone, you make something to show that,” said Hend Zaid.

“There’s been a lot of tears” added Nilofer Rafiuddin. “We’re overwhelmed. People keep coming up and hugging us.”

“It’s bittersweet,” said Jessica Tse, who came from Hornsby on her day off work to pay her respects. “It’s great to see everyone come together. Everyone’s going about their day to day business, but our priorities have changed.”