Store owners in New York City are expressing concern that city representatives are intruding into their businesses, demanding various personal details. This comes in the context of Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s state-run supermarket initiative, which some fear could create unfair competition.
At a press event on Tuesday near La Marqueta in East Harlem, one of five city-owned grocery locations, business leaders voiced their frustrations, alleging that city officials have been threatening stores in the Bronx.
Fernando Mateo, representing United Bodegas of America, which includes around 40,000 delis and bodegas in the city, criticized the tactics as “despicable and unethical.” He noted that many store owners feel anxious when city officials come around, worried about the nature of their inquiries.
This backlash follows a recent report detailing a meeting between local business leaders and city officials, aimed at discussing the proposed New York Grocers store. The officials have yet to issue a comment on the meeting, as there have been repeated inquiries regarding similar issues.
During this week’s discussions, local grocery owners reported that city officials were inquiring about their most popular products, weekly sales figures, and operational costs. The National Supermarket Association, which advocates for approximately 800 independent supermarkets spanning from New York to Florida, expressed dissatisfaction with the city’s approach.
Anthony Pena, the NSA Chairman, stated that the city’s claims about profitability concerning items like lottery tickets, beer, and cigarettes are misleading. He highlighted that sales from these products have been declining, and the lottery fee hasn’t changed in decades.
Frank Garcia, the president of the Multicultural Business Coalition, representing various chambers of commerce, has asked for a meeting with the mayor to address these concerns. Garcia believes that the current advisors of the mayor may not fully grasp the needs of local businesses.
A spokesperson for Deputy Mayor Julie Hsu mentioned that the goal of engaging with bodega owners is to refine the offerings of the new grocery plan, ensuring they harmonize rather than compete with existing bodegas.
Many grocers, however, argue that the city’s inquiries are invasive and remain skeptical about the assurance that municipal stores won’t compete directly with them. Garcia has also shared plans to raise $1 million to counter the mayor’s initiative, even hinting at a potential lawsuit against the city.
He emphasized that it’s essential for the mayor to understand that many bodega owners struggle to secure financing, often resorting to costly loans with high interest rates. While some members of the coalition are open to meeting with city representatives, Garcia is adamant about wanting a direct conversation with Mayor Mamdani.
Recently, the mayor’s legal team expressed interest in meeting Garcia, although clarity on the purpose of the meeting remains vague. Garcia has interpreted the outreach as a sign of the city’s concern regarding the coalition’s plans to take legal action.
