Olive cafe is one of 20 buildings on Cuba Street which are undergoing or have undergone parapet and facade reinforcement since the Kaikoura earthquake.
The popular eatery is closed for six weeks while further strengthening work is carried out.
Olive co-owner Ferdi Petagna says it's a nerve-wracking time for business owners.
He says you have to be able to afford to close, and you have to work with your landlord who could find it easier to terminate the lease while the work's being done.
