Business has slowed for some shopkeepers in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, who have been struggling to make up for lost time and money since Sandy struck. NY1's Polly Kreisman filed the following report.

At Carey Gardens and other housing projects in Coney Island, emergency generators are bringing heat, although by Saturday night many were still without hot water. Consolidated Edison crews were still pumping water from underground.

But along Mermaid Avenue, the mood was different Saturday night, as some small businesses were reopening, even as they made repairs.

"I lost a lot of wages and was sitting in the house a lot of the time, which I wasn't used to," said Jermaine Donald of Coney Island Cutn Lounge. "I'm happy now. Makes you appreciate what you do and it can be swept away with the snap of a finger."

Next door ,at Big Sams 24 hour deli, only coffee, candy and a few sundries could be sold. Owner Abdella Mohsen said Sandy and looters took everything else, including the cash from the ATM, but the store remained open.

Along the avenues, some lights were on Saturday night. A general store was cleaning up and a pharmacy was rebuilding.

At Grace's Beauty Salon, owner Grace Belar held up pictures of the storm's devastation, when the floor was littered with salon chairs and supplies.

"It's been slow. They don't come like before," said Belar.

Things may be slower but are not bad, considering how far they have come. Many of the businesses have applied for small business loans, but for now they have to work as much as they can, if they can.