Rockville Centre Businesses Struggle Through Badly Needed Infrastructure Upgrades

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- What's a village to do when its water mains are a century old? Dig them up and replace the infrastructure.

That's what one Long Island village is doing, but now local businesses are suffering.

As CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported, it's a rocky road in Rockville Centre. A downtown dig along North Park Avenue's shopping district has been tough on customers, but worse for first time business owners.

Peggy Zieran and Carol Hoenig pooled all of their resources to open their dream bookstoore which includes a wine bar.

"Peggy and I are not types to give up easily, so we are fighting our way through this. Everything is on the line, our homes are on the line," Carol said.

Business was looking good for their first months -- mothers were walking to evening story hour with their children.

Parents would sip wine or craft beer while kids listened or read -- the book club was thriving.

Then came the sidewalk and street closures.

"I think all the Rockville Centre moms know about this now," Peggy said.

'Turn of The Corkscrew' owners believe in reaching out to the community and book lovers to let them know they are going through a painful chapter.

The mayor said construction like this takes time.

"All the gas was replaced by national grid, all new water mains - 90-years-old, then dig another hole and put infrastructure for electric," Mayor Francs X Murray said. "Sidewalks, curbing, decorative lighting, now we are going to do the streets."

The project that began in May will be worth it when it's over, he said.

The business community is doing its best to cope.

"A lot of word of mouth. We have very loyal customers, the community has been so supportive of us since they found out we are struggling," Peggy said.

Village officials have told businesses to hang on. Roadwork should be wrapped up in another month.

Given Long Island's aging downtowns, construction and infrastructure upgrades are expected to continue to challenge small businesses.