As anyone who lives or works near Second Avenue can tell you, construction of the Second Avenue Subway is having a significant impact on their lives. The impact is particularly hard on local businesses, which report significant losses since construction began. I urge you to come to Second Avenue where you’ll find some of the best food, services, wines and goods around. You may even find some great bargains.

While the subway is essential to the City’s future, we need to do everything we can to help the businesses along the subway route stay in business. They are the heart and soul of our community, the things that make it interesting and wonderful to live in this neighborhood. We don’t want to wake up and find a brand new subway surrounded by empty storefronts.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), a state agency that receives a significant amount of federal funding, has helped develop a logo and marketing strategy to help attract shoppers and patrons to Second Avenue, in cooperation with the Coalition of Second Avenue Businesses.

I have been helping businesses meet with representatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration, who can help business owners obtain federal benefits like low-interest loans and free consulting services from federal experts in marketing, inventory control and other important areas.

So, while the construction of this vital project continues, I hope you’ll make it a point to Shop Second Avenue. I know I will.