The road went east of the restaurant, but its location was far from the end of its ability to affect his business and occupy his thoughts, even when the actual work was miles away. It didn't bother his dinner trade, but he could feel the slack at lunchtime. That was due to the fact that anyone coming from that direction thought twice about braving the construction site. And it's not like Harry's was the only game in town. And it's not as if everything goes back to square one once the road work is done.
Customers go elsewhere and develop new habits.
But if work a mile or so away can have an immediate impact, it pales next to work being done right outside your door, particularly when it makes your entrance a moving target. For one, Sweeney's Bakery, the effect on traffic aggravated other problems and threatened to close the shop. An unprecedented outpouring of support from other businesses and customers alike saved their day. The other shops had to muddle along as best they could. That's not their focus.