The leak was caused by a digger cutting through a pipe during refurbishment work in George St, between Hanover and Frederick Sts.
The area was evacuated during peak trading hours for hospitality businesses.
Miga Hako owner Richard Lim said the closure of his restaurant was financially and mentally draining.
"It really does feel like everything is compounding all at once and I don’t expect it to get better anytime soon.
"Financially, a lot of the other shops were saying it really felt like a nail in the coffin.
"Not because of the construction, but because of the economy ... It’s not the best."
He said the disruption had set his business back about $1500 and the cost of the food that was prepared in advance.
However, he did not blame the construction workers for the loss.
"It’s not like they did it on purpose and I don’t want to throw anyone under the bus.
"But as far as the damage goes, it is what it is."
Another business owner said his business had already been down 40% to 50% because of the road works and it would take it about two weeks to recover.
"What it is, because we’re bouncing along the bottom, obviously trying to keep our heads above water and anything like that, that happens normally you just take it in your stride ... but now it’s kind of a fairly large chink in the armour." ’
He said the business would eventually recover, but it would just mean shuffling some money around and negotiating some late payments.
