Immigrant grocery owners sue NYC mayor over planned city-run supermarkets

Immigrant-owned bodegas and grocery stores have filed two lawsuits against Mayor Zohran Mamdani, challenging his proposal to build five government-owned supermarkets across New York City. The Multicultural Business Coalition, representing dozens of ethnic chambers of commerce, argues the $70 million plan, which would sell staples at discounts up to 30 % below market rates, infringes on the civil rights of “hundreds” of minority retailers and mirrors the competitive threat posed by past Walmart attempts in the city.

The filings criticize the administration for not conducting a proper land-use or economic impact study before announcing sites in East Harlem’s La Marqueta and the Bronx’s Hunts Point. Plaintiffs request that the court compel a detailed analysis and halt the openings, warning that the municipal stores could eliminate opportunities for small, family-run businesses. Community leaders such as Frank Garcia and Ken Roldan say the proposal betrays the mayor’s stated support for low-income New Yorkers. The lawsuits do not yet name the specific businesses affected, and future amendments are expected to add plaintiffs.