The blackouts on Glenferrie Road began in January and always seemed to happen during the lunchtime rush.

There was nothing to do but down tools and shut up shop. The dry cleaner sat on his hands as his store was bathed in darkness, while the cafe next door had to turn away dozens of customers.

During one blackout, cafe owner Taras Marciburko had to rush out and buy 20 bags of ice just to stop food from spoiling.

Business owners on the busy Hawthorn shopping strip say they are at breaking point after 11 blackouts this year, including four in the past week as the mercury soars across the state.