‘I Favor Free Enterprise’: Dem Gov Throws Mud At Mamdani’s Government-Owned Grocery Store Plan
New York Democrat’s governess Kathy Hochul has criticized NYC’s socialist candidate in New York, Zohran Mamdani, for grocery stores managed by the city, saying that she supports private enterprise.
“I prefer free business,” said Hochul business leaders during a Hampton breakfast organized by the supermarket magnate John Catsimatidis, said the New York Post. His remarks attracted strong applause of the participants, notably Catsimatidis himself. (Related: Hakeem Jeffries cannot stop with Taillon and dodge when he is in a hurry on Mamdani’s socialism)
Hochul throws the shadow on the Mamdani grocery plan in New York: “I prefer free business” https://t.co/ix7ujimfdc pic.twitter.com/j0Zzeebkh6
– New York Post (@nypost) August 16, 2025
Catsimatidis told the post that Mamdani’s plan would be doomed to failure, pointing to a grocery store belonging to the government of Kansas City, Missouri, which closed on Monday after years of loss of taxpayers and chronic problems such as doing the thief and empty shelves. The city would have spent $ 18 million while trying to keep the store afloat.
“New York City is a capitalist city – look at what happened in Kansas City?” Said Catsimatidis. “These types of grocery store just don’t work.”
Mamdani, a democratic candidate and a pioneer for the November town hall race, proposed to open five municipal grocery stores, one in each district, with the potential to develop. It is estimated that the first five will cost $ 60 million combined to build.
Critics have warned that the plan could create “Soviet style” markets, leaving buyers with limited brand options and forcing private gruff gruff to bankruptcy, reducing choice and competition.
As the owner of Gristedes and Agostino – the oldest and the largest independent supermarket chains in the city of York – I spent my life to keep the shelves in stock, employed workers and fed families. Now comes Zohran Mamdani, writes @ Jcats2013 https://t.co/dxgqztp53l
– Opinion of the Wall Street Journal (@wsjopinion) July 1, 2025
The Mayoral Wannabe from New York Zohran Mamdani wants grocery stores managed by the city – 5 of them, one per district.
No rent. No land taxes. Wholesale price.
Translation: Competition subsidized by the government to crush Maman-et-Pop stores.Critics call it “Soviet style” and a “pending disaster”. … pic.twitter.com/ocglcnvkbbb
– Jake (@ jakecan72) August 14, 2025
Hochul has not yet approved a candidate in the race for the mayor. Mamdani’s campaign refused to comment on criticism.
