It's been three weeks since the deadly explosion in the East Village, and some local businesses still reeling from the event now have some resources to help them get back on their feet. NY1's Rocco Vertuccio filed the following report.

Customers are slowly returning to Cafe Mocha on Second Avenue after it was forced to close for a week because of the East Village explosion. The revenue lost cannot be recovered.

"Yes it's very hard to swallow lost business like this because you never know when business will start like normally," said Rodolfo Palacios, the restaurant's manager.

The explosion that destroyed three buildings and killed two people impacted nearly 40 businesses in this neighborhood. Six were destroyed and four others are still closed. Mariann Marlowe's Rockabilly shop adjacent to the explosion site may not reopen until next month .

"I've saved a lot but you know it's a big loss it's a big loss," Marlowe noted.

As the investigation and work at the site continue some worry their business will be disrupted for months. Some had insurance to cover lost revenues, but many did not.

"I have no doubt that it is disruptive but I understand there is nothing they can do worse things have happened to people who lost their apartments," said Radouane Eljaouhari, a restaurant owner.

At a business recovery meeting Tuesday morning there was some help and hope. The city's Department of Small Business Services and other city agencies offered information on low interest loans, free legal help and other services available to help businesses recover .

"We work very closely with a number of agencies at the state as well as city level as well as a number of different partners who can provide services to help these businesses get back on their feet," said Small Business Services Deputy Commissioner Robinson Hernandez.

The city promises it will continue to help until all the businesses have recovered.  Perhaps almost as important is the moral support businesses are receiving .

"The whole East Village is devastated we're a big family down here," Marlowe said.

Any businesses impacted by the explosion that still need help can email the Department of Small Business Services at businesshelp@sbs.nyc.gov.