The reconstruction of Hastings Way in Eau Claire has shut down some major streets, making it tough for drivers to get around town. It's also made it tough for people to get into several area businesses. Many of those businesses say the construction project has been a big hassle for their customers.

With roads starting to shape up prices at some stores along Hastings Way are dropping.

"The customers are complaining and they joke about it a little bit but it hasn't been that bad for us," says John Muldoon, who owns Muldoon's Men's Wear.

He says he based a sale off the construction to try and keep people coming in. He says even with all the work and road closures business this year is even better than it was last year.

"I talked to a few people who went through this already they said you're going to be way down over last year, it will be terrible. I said oh great and laid awake at night but really for us it hasn’t been bad at all," says Muldoon.

Just down the road at Broadway Pizza it's a little different story.

“I figured it would be difficult, we anticipated it to be. I didn't realize it was going to be as difficult as it has been," says Tom Stuart, Owner of Broadway Pizza.

The restaurant opened its doors just before the construction started. Stuart, says many customers have just stayed away from the area altogether. Both stores say they'll power through the construction and come out better in the end.

"Long term it will be helpful and it will be good for the area," says Stuart.

"We even have plans to upgrade our building. Other land lords down the street do too we're all thinking about redoing windows and doors and our parking lot needs to be replaced," says Muldoon.

The entire Hastings Way project is expected to be complete by this fall. We left messages for the project manager to see how far along they are, but we haven't heard back.