New York City business leaders and bodega owners have protested Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s plan for five city-run grocery stores, saying subsidised prices could undermine nearby independent shops. A coalition representing 50 multicultural business chambers has filed two state-court lawsuits, arguing that the scheme is unfair and should not proceed without further analysis.

The first confirmed Manhattan location is planned for La Marqueta in Harlem, opposite an existing mini-market, with the rollout expected to begin in late 2027. The city would own the sites and cover costs such as rent and construction, while private operators would run the stores and sell selected staples at prices 30% below average retail levels. Coalition leaders say small retailers cannot match those prices while paying normal operating costs; the administration says its groceries task force will involve agencies, experts and local businesses in implementation.