Security hampers businesses near Trump Tower after election

MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WABC) -- Donald Trump will become the second president born in New York City, and he'll be the fifth to live here during his presidency.

For residents, it means clogged streets and sidewalks, complaining business owners and the kind of security usually reserved for only the biggest events. Only it will be in place every day.

So what about those who live and work near Trump Tower, the epicenter of the mogul's empire? Life got complicated and costly for those West 56th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues the moment Trump won the election.

The block is now closed to almost all traffic, a move that is hurting many businesses. At Il Tinello, customers are cancelling reservations, particularly large parties of people who simply cannot bear the thought of dealing with the extra tight security.

"Just knowing the fact that it will take you a couple of hours to get to Midtown, to 56th Street, it will 100 percent affect our business," Il Tinello's Bobby Ostrozubi said.

Secret Service agents will check any vehicle coming in to make a delivery, but getting product out for one floral design business is no easy task. Others are trying to come up with ways to keep business on track, but signs for a parking garage aren't helping, with business down about 60 percent.

And it is unclear how long it will last.

If Trump chooses to split his time between his Trump Tower penthouse and the White House, one manager worries he may have to close and relocate. Inside Barbershop on 56th, sales have been cut by 40 percent.

"The bosses, for sure, they are worried," employee Aik Chong Wee said. "So what can we do?"

So they hope for the best and count on regular customers like John Ruggeri.

"The good news is these guys are great," he said. "I value their business, so I still plan to support them."