ASTORIA — The neighborhood's trains might not be rolling, but the discounts are.
A dozen stores will be offering special prices to MTA customers for a weekend this summer when N trains won't be running in Astoria — part of a promotion to encourage residents to stay and shop local.
During the "No Trains, Shop Local" event, 12 neighborhood shops will give 10 percent off all purchases to customers who show their MetroCards between Aug. 11-13, one of several weekends this summer when service on the N train will be suspended for maintenance work.
"The promotion was really just to encourage people, if they don’t need to go into the city, to just stay in and shop," said Nicole Panettieri, owner of The Brass Owl boutique on Ditmars Boulevard and 37th Street.
Crews are making repairs along the N/W line in an effort to mitigate noise from the elevated subway line, with shuttle buses running in place of trains between the Astoria-Ditmars Boulevard and Queensboro Plaza stations during the affected weekends in August and September.
"It definitely makes people feel a little trapped," Panettieri said.
The other shops that will be offering discounts include Lockwood, Lockwood Style, Lavender Label, Broadway Silk, Château le Woof, HiFi Records, Inside Astoria, The Astoria Bookshop, LoveDay 31, Petals and Roots and The Stonework.
Some stores will be running their own deals in addition to the 10 percent off, and venue Q.E.D. on 23rd Avenue will give two free show tickets to shoppers who spend more than $25 at any of the participating spots.
"There's such a great group of retailers in Astoria, and it’s a great way for people to explore," Panettieri said. "A lot of what you need is already in the neighborhood."
For more information and for an updated list of store specials, check the event's Facebook page.
► RELATED: N Train Service Suspended in Astoria for 8 Weekends This Summer, MTA Says
