Josefina Aguirre, a first-generation American, expresses deep concerns about Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s plan to open city-backed grocery stores in New York City, which she fears could threaten her family’s nearly 30-year-old business. Aguirre runs a grocery store in East Harlem called Little Mexico, built by her immigrant parents. The city’s initiative aims to offer groceries at prices around 30% lower than competitors, which has led local business owners, including Aguirre, to file a lawsuit against the plan.
Aguirre highlights that while they’ve faced numerous challenges, this city-subsidized competition could be the final blow. She notes that as the mayor plans to open a store just two blocks away, the financial viability of her family business is in jeopardy. “When you have a grocery store coming in like this, it could take us out of business,” she stated.
Mamdani’s plan, involving an investment of approximately $70 million to create five municipal grocery stores across the boroughs, aims to alleviate food costs for residents struggling with rising prices. However, Aguirre and other local grocers argue that the public funding creates an uneven playing field, making it impossible for independent businesses to compete.
The implications of this situation extend beyond business; for Aguirre, it resonates on a personal level as she relies on her store to support her family. She emphasizes that they have invested their lives into the business and wish to keep their legacy alive, fearing the emotional toll of potentially closing their doors.
In her words, “It’ll be sad to see us leave. We’ve been here for years.”
