About 10 months of work is expected in the Knox block, finishing in August next year.
That includes replacement of ageing underground pipes and a revised layout above ground.
Andrew Farmer, from AJ's Shoe Repairs and Key Cutting While-U-Wait, said government support was available when business operations were interrupted by Covid-19, but businesses had to get by as best they could amid the George St revamp.
The Dunedin City Council has said work in the block was brought forward after requests from businesses that wanted it done while many students were away for summer.
Bus routes that had taken in the Knox block have been adjusted from today, to work around road closures between Frederick St and Albany St in the next few months.
The road will reopen for a period between December 23 and January 9.
Retailers had some misgivings longer term about what had been envisaged for parking in the area and a meeting was held in the block last week.
Mr Farmer said project leaders had seemed to take on board concerns about parking in their adjusted draft design.
"It’s certainly better than the original layout," he said.
The first completed block in the George St redevelopment was opened on Friday afternoon and the design has mostly been received enthusiastically.
Jeweller and new city councillor Brent Weatherall, who led retailer opposition to a one-way-traffic design for three blocks of George St, said last week the first completed block looked good.
Council chief executive Sandy Graham acknowledged there had been disruption for central city retailers, but said the broader project was a once-in-a-generation chance to fix infrastructure and deliver something better for residents.
Inside Out shop owner Cindy King said she was reassured by the Knox block meeting.
"It’s nice to have some clarity," she said.
"I’m pleased to see they’ve reinstated as much parking as possible. I thought the layout looked good. I’m quite happy with it."
Salon owner Sarah Martin said the George St revamp looked good outside Farmers, but parking near the Knox block was an ongoing concern for clients.
Olivier Home shop proprietor Kim Maitland said contractors had done well to explain what was happening.
However, disruption was significant and access to shops was difficult.
"I don’t think the timing is doing us any favours," she said.
The council has said updated plans for the Knox block are not yet available.
