NYC Grocers Lobby Council Speaker to Fight Mayor's Grocery Store Plan

Local grocers are pushing back against Mayor Mamdani's proposal to open city-run grocery stores, which they view as unnecessary competition.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:52pm

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A photorealistic painting of a small, independent grocery store in New York City, with warm sunlight streaming through the windows and deep shadows cast across the storefront. The scene conveys a sense of quiet urban melancholy and the challenges facing local businesses.As New York City's progressive mayor pushes a controversial plan to open government-run grocery stores, local bodegas and small grocers fear the impact of this taxpayer-funded competition.NYC Today

New York City grocers are lobbying Council Speaker Julie Menin to oppose Mayor Mamdani's plan to open city-run grocery stores, which they believe will unfairly compete with existing local businesses. The grocers are concerned about the $30 million price tag for one store at La Marqueta in East Harlem, where there are already numerous grocery options nearby. They are optimistic that Menin, a former small business owner herself, will side with the local food industry against the mayor's far-left proposal.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between the new democratic socialist mayor and the local business community, as Mamdani pushes forward with his progressive agenda. The outcome could have significant implications for the city's small grocers, who are already facing economic challenges, as well as consumers who may be impacted by changes to the local food landscape.

The details

The grocers, represented by the Food Industry Alliance of New York, are fast-tracking outreach to Menin and other Council members, who will get a vote on whether to fund Mamdani's $30 million plan for the La Marqueta store. They argue there are already five grocery stores within two blocks of the proposed site and 15 within five blocks, making the city-run store unnecessary. The local food industry believes it could have an ally in Menin, who used to be a small business owner herself. Meanwhile, the mayor's office says the city-owned stores would offer a 30% discount on 100 items, though grocers are skeptical of the plan's details and costs.

  • Mayor Mamdani announced the city's grocery store plan on Sunday, April 14, 2026.
  • The city is expected to issue a request for proposals as soon as June 2026 for someone to operate the La Marqueta site.
  • The first city-run grocery store is set to open in one of the outer boroughs sometime in 2027, according to the mayor's office.

The players

Julie Menin

The Speaker of the New York City Council, who is being lobbied by local grocers to oppose Mayor Mamdani's grocery store plan. Menin is a former small business owner herself, which the grocers believe could make her an ally against the mayor's proposal.

Eric Mamdani

The democratic socialist mayor of New York City, who has proposed opening five city-run grocery stores, including a $30 million store at La Marqueta in East Harlem.

Mike Durant

The chief executive of the Food Industry Alliance of New York, which represents 3,000 grocery stores and is leading the lobbying effort against the mayor's plan.

Carlos Collado

A local Bronx grocer who was surprised by the mayor's announcement and believes the Council will not support the plan.

Anthony Pena

A supermarket owner and president of the National Supermarket Association, who is also meeting with borough presidents and requesting a meeting with Speaker Menin to discuss the mayor's proposal.

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What they’re saying

“This is just five days old but we are doing what we can to reach to say, 'Hey, let's discuss what's impacting existing food stores.'”

— Mike Durant, Chief Executive, Food Industry Alliance of New York

“We expected the Council to line up behind the mayor on this issue.”

— Carlos Collado, Local Bronx Grocer

“City Hall should 'speak to the experts first and maybe it wouldn't look so foolish putting $30 million figure out there.'”

— Anthony Pena, Supermarket Owner and President, National Supermarket Association

What’s next

The New York City Council is expected to vote on whether to fund Mayor Mamdani's grocery store plan in the coming weeks. Local grocers are racing to lobby Council Speaker Julie Menin and other members to oppose the proposal before the vote takes place.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between the new progressive mayor and the local business community in New York City. The outcome could have significant implications for the city's small grocers, who are concerned about unfair competition from taxpayer-funded city-run stores, as well as consumers who may be impacted by changes to the local food landscape.