Small business owners in Greenpoint are voicing deep concerns over the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s planned weekend shutdowns of the G train, warning that the extended service interruptions could severely harm their already fragile operations. According to local elected officials who have been briefed by the MTA, the G train will be completely out of service for ten weekends stretching through 2026, including three consecutive weekends this June alone.
The G train is a critical transit artery for Greenpoint residents, workers, and visitors, linking Brooklyn to Queens and facilitating daily commutes and commerce. For many small businesses in the neighborhood—ranging from cafes and boutiques to service providers—the shutdowns threaten to reduce foot traffic at a time when many are still recovering from the economic fallout of the pandemic.
Owners report that even short-term disruptions to subway service can translate into steep revenue losses, as customers seek more accessible alternatives elsewhere. “Our margins are razor-thin,” said one Greenpoint café owner. “Losing weekend traffic multiple times a year for months on end could be devastating.”
Community advocates and local officials are calling on the MTA to consider mitigation measures, such as enhanced shuttle services or financial support for affected businesses. The situation underscores the broader challenge New York City faces in balancing necessary infrastructure upgrades with the economic vitality of neighborhoods that depend heavily on public transit.
As the MTA undertakes these extensive repairs designed to improve long-term service reliability, Greenpoint’s small business community is left navigating the immediate uncertainty, hoping for solutions that will keep their doors open through the disruptions.