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Standing in front of the hollow shell of two businesses on Austin Street, U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Kew Gardens) pointed to what used to be a fish store and hair salon as the latest victims of our wrecked economy.

The impromptu press conference held on a blustery day highlighted the results of an admittedly “very unscientific” survey conducted by Weiner’s staff. It found a growing number of spaces remain empty along Queens’ major shopping strips, doubling in vacancy rates in the past year.

Weiner said some relief built into the federal economic stimulus package was on its way, promising it would save or create approximately 30,000 jobs in Queens. The package offers a $750 million boost to existing Small Business Association loan programs. It also doubles small business write-offs on equipment and property to $250,000.

In some areas, close to half of all spaces are not in use. The Rockaways, as well as Electchester, Woodhaven Boulevard, Steinway Street and Jamaica Avenue, have vacancy percentages in the double digits. Of 1,730 stores surveyed in 10 shopping strips around the borough, 12 percent were vacant.

“There is a tipping point on shopping strips like Austin Street,” Weiner said. “Shuttered stores push away possible renters and residents. Who would want to live or open a business in a place where all the stores are almost empty?”

Weiner attributed the exodus of business to the heady economic times, as well as higher operating costs and rents.

Flanking Weiner, owner of Latin Cabana Javier Valdes said the three empty spaces neighboring his food joint were deterring passers-by from even reaching his business. Walking from 71st Avenue towards Ascan Avenue, Valdes believes people turn back after seeing successive empty spaces.

“Visitors just don’t walk past shuttered stores. It’s a trickle-down crisis,” he said.

Rent is also consuming a large chunk of his takings. Paying $6,000 for 400 square feet isn’t a rate he can maintain much longer. That particular Latin Cabana’s revenue is already down $3,000 a week, though it is buoyed by other locations in the borough.

Valdes also claimed stringent traffic enforcement has kept customers away. On more than one occasion, he said traffic officers unreasonably ticketed drivers.

“The grace period they talked about in the news, we have yet to see it,” Valdes said.

While Austin Street itself appeared healthy by comparison to other areas, Community Board 6 District Manager Frank Gulluscio said there is still some cause for concern.

Gulluscio said the Department of Consumer Affairs, coupled with chambers of commerce and business improvement districts, could blunt the force of the hit.

“We’re in a recession. Everyone knows it. And now mom and pop shops are getting hit,” he said. “Nobody wants to see the economic tax base of a shopping strip disappear.”