Many businesses in the area of the crane collapse opened Monday for the first time since Saturday's accident. NY1's Roger Clark filed the following report.

Jennifer Appel was giving away cupcakes she wasn't able to sell over the weekend in front of her Buttercup Bakeshop on Second Avenue.

Her store was open for the first time since the crane collapse on Saturday.

"We would have sold all of this, but, unfortunately, we don't think it's really in a condition to sell, so we'd prefer to give it away than throw it out," said Appel.

Her business was just one of those in the area of the crash that was forced to shut down by authorities because of the disaster.

"I think our losses are in the thousands and thousands of dollars because we had many orders for yesterday and today and tomorrow that we were not able to produce at all, because as I said, the police had to evacuate us," said Appel.

Zarela Martinez had to close her restaurant, named Zarela.

"We were here most of the day on Saturday hoping to [open], but we got the word probably around 4 o' clock that it was not going to open," she said.

Martinez says closing down cost her $25,000 to $30,000 in lost business and food.

"I lost Saturday, Sunday, and then lunch today, so that adds up to a lot of money, and not only me, my employees, who won't get paid I guess, until maybe when we get covered by insurance hopefully," said Martinez.

This area is home to a number of Irish pubs, which lost two days of their very important Saint Patrick's Day weekend.

"You could take a couple of good holidays, a lot of money," said Ken McCoy of the Pig N Whistle Pub.

The Pig N Whistle and other watering holes were able to open up in time for St. Patrick's Day.

"I'm just glad we're all okay over here, and I'm glad all my staff is here," said McCoy. "They can come to work today, try and make a few bucks."

- Roger Clark