Josefina Aguirre, a first-generation American, has been working at her family’s meat market in Spanish Harlem for 30 years. During an interview, Aguirre paused to serve a customer, reflecting her daily reality and dedication to the business.
She is among the neighborhood grocers taking legal action against New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The opposition focuses on Mamdani’s plan to open city-backed grocery stores in all five boroughs. These stores promise prices about 30% lower than competitors, threatening small local-run businesses.
Experts criticize the plan as an illusion that imposes a financial burden on taxpayers.
Bodegas and small grocery stores hold a longstanding presence in New York City neighborhoods, serving multiple generations just a short walk from their homes. Aguirre expressed concern about the intense competition the new grocery model introduces.
The city plans to spend around $30 million on a store close to her family’s business, La Marqueta, an existing public market. This move places a taxpayer-supported rival right near her shop.
The arrangement could lead to taxpayers indirectly financing the stores twice.
Aguirre’s shop, managed with her two sisters, has survived many challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and competition from larger retailers like Costco. Despite this resilience, Aguirre fears the city-run grocery initiative could pose an unmanageable threat.
She confided, “If I’m selling a whole chicken for $13, and he’s giving it for $7, they’re gonna buy the $7 chicken. Who doesn’t want a 30% discount?” Her concerns extend beyond losing customers, affecting her personal life.
Alongside other grocers, Aguirre is challenging Mamdani’s initiative in court. They argue that private businesses cannot compete with government-supported stores benefiting from public funding and city resources.
Mamdani has earmarked $70 million for five municipal grocery stores. No rent or property taxes will allow these stores to offer lower prices, supporting New Yorkers with growing food costs. Independent grocers stress the unfair competitive edge, asserting it disadvantages businesses like Little Mexico.
Mamdani’s approach signifies his broader socialist vision, testing the feasibility of government-operated stores in New York’s capitalist environment.
For Aguirre, the battle has sentimental value. “This is what my parents left us,” she shared, emphasizing the legacy her family has established. Selling the business represents the least desirable outcome.
Aguirre remains committed, hoping to avoid closure despite the looming challenges.
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