Immigrant grocers threaten lawsuits as NYC's city-run grocery plan moves forward

Immigrant-owned grocers in New York City filed two lawsuits against the city over Mayor Zohran Mamdani's plan to run taxpayer-backed grocery stores and warned they could target private operators chosen through the city’s RFP. They argue the model would unfairly compete with minority- and immigrant-owned businesses, while Mamdani says the stores would lower prices (about 30%) and can coexist with private bodegas. NYCEDC says grants aren’t planned but is exploring incentives; operator proposals are due Oct. 16, with five stores planned by 2029. The coalition also advocates forming a private buying group to reduce costs as an alternative to signing on with city-backed stores.