"We are getting used to having a lot of quiet days."
The cafe has since released promotions and deals in hope of attracting people back to the business.
With school holidays coming up they have introduced free mini golf and meals for children.
However Mr Lappchen is hopeful once the project is finished the business will be back running at full capacity.
"We can't wait for it to be finished and we are holding positive thoughts. We will be having special deals to get our customers back into our cafe."
Te Kura o Mangateretere principal Mona Stewart said the school was also feeling the effects, especially during this construction phase.
Ms Stewart said the number of screeching brakes, tooting horns and accidents outside the school gate was interfering with the students' education.
"The children see it daily and we have to quickly move them away to the back of the school, as it is not something they need to see. When they hear something their natural reaction is to run outside to see it."
Board of Trustees member Daniel Morgan said the speed of cars and trucks was another big issue for the school, especially with the temporary roundabout in place.
"No one knows how to use it and the cars rush through the roundabout at 80km so it is really dangerous for our children, especially when tthey're leaving and arriving at the school. We get our bus in earlier now so they can avoid this traffic flow."
The pair hoped the completed route would take into consideration the school, as Ms Stewart said since the start of the project not one person had been in contact with them.
"I guess we will have to wait and see the end result and gauge how it will work with the school and observe what needs to be done to ensure our students are safe."
Local residents Dennis and Heather White who live next to the Whakatu Arterial Roundabout site said other than the sound of machinery and the vibration from the roller they hadn't been too badly affected.
Mr White said despite a rise in accidents around the temporary roundabout the new roading was positive progress and would provide a safer road for traffic when completed.
"You can't stop progress and I think this development is a good idea so we will just go with the flow."