East Harlem Grocers Oppose Mamdani's Plan for City-Run Grocery Store

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's proposal to open a city-run grocery store is drawing opposition from East Harlem grocers. They argue the neighborhood already has plenty of supermarkets and bodegas.

The plan aims to tackle rising grocery costs citywide by establishing publicly run stores in all five boroughs. But local business owners warn it could squeeze their slim margins. The first location would open next year at La Marqueta, a public market at Park Avenue and 115th Street in East Harlem. The city plans to spend about $30 million on construction.

A Fox News Digital analysis found roughly 45 grocery stores within a 35-minute walk of the site. Those include chains such as Whole Foods and Lidl, plus neighborhood markets and bodegas.

Public transit serves the area well, with multiple subway and bus lines. Residents can easily reach nearby stores even if they are beyond walking distance.

Local grocers fear the new competition will hurt sales. "Of course it will affect this store," said Sarah Kang, manager at a CTown Supermarkets about a 35-minute walk south of La Marqueta, or one subway stop away.

"A lot of people walk 20 to 30 minutes to get here," Kang told Fox News Digital. "If they find a cheaper supermarket, I don’t think they’ll be willing to make that trip. It’s going to affect small grocery stores. Definitely."

"I hope we don't lose customers," she added.

Joel Martinez, manager of a supermarket at 128th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard, about a 30-minute walk north of La Marqueta, said the effects might hinge on distance. "I hope it doesn’t impact us," he told Fox News Digital. "The store will be a little far from us, so that’s good. But it will affect smaller businesses that are closer."

Bodegas and small grocery stores anchor New York City neighborhoods and often act as main food sources for locals.

Mamdani's office did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment. The mayor aims to open five city-run stores, one per borough, by 2029.

Similar ideas for government-owned grocery stores have appeared in places like Boston.