New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s first city-owned grocery store is projected to cost $30 million to construct at the La Marqueta site in East Harlem, according to city officials.
The project, which will be built from the ground up on city-owned land, was announced by Mamdani during a Sunday event marking his first 100 days in office.
Officials confirmed that while La Marqueta may be the first site selected as part of the mayor’s broader plan, it will not be the first location to open.
City Hall officials said the administration is actively searching for additional sites across the five boroughs that do not require full construction, with the goal of opening those stores sooner.
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The city has allocated an initial $70 million to support the development of the planned network of five city-owned grocery stores.
The La Marqueta location holds historical significance within New York City.
The market was originally established in the 1930s under former Mayor Fiorella La Guardia as a place where residents could purchase affordable produce and other goods.
Mamdani referenced that history when discussing the decision to place the first store at the site.
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“We will continue his legacy,” Mamdani said.
According to the mayor’s office, the selected location in East Harlem is currently unused city-owned land.
Officials described the neighborhood as an area where a significant portion of residents rely on public assistance programs.
“We are building a brand-new store on city-owned land currently sitting empty in East Harlem, a neighborhood where nearly 40% of households received public assistance or SNAP in the past year,” Mamdani said.
City officials indicated that the administration’s approach includes prioritizing locations that can be developed more quickly than the La Marqueta project, which requires a full build.
Those additional sites have not yet been publicly identified, but officials said the search is ongoing.
The grocery store initiative is part of Mamdani’s broader plan to expand access to food options in neighborhoods across the city.
The administration has not released a timeline for the completion of the La Marqueta store or the opening dates for the additional planned locations.
La Marqueta is one of six public markets currently operating in New York City. Other markets include Essex Market and the Jamaica Farmers Market.
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Well, well, this new store in the location with most residents on some sort of welfare benefits seems ludicrous since the new store will more than likely be overrun with humanity expecting a free ride. Does he anticipate setting rules that will make it that you can only buy so much of any items available. I’d think that these residents will come and think they can buy anything and at any quantities they see fit, therefore, the stores will become empty very quickly. Amazing how Mamdani thinks these stores won’t be a drain on New York Cities budgets. Can’t wait to see the results of his management.