Immigrant Business Owners Sue NYC Mayor Over City-Owned Grocery Stores

Several immigrant business owners intend to sue New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. They oppose his plan to create city-owned grocery stores. These stores would sell food at prices up to 30% lower than typical retailers. The Multicultural Business Coalition (MBC), a group representing these business owners, confirmed the lawsuit plan on Wednesday.

The Multicultural Business Coalition’s board decided to take legal action. They will file the lawsuit against the city’s plan to open five taxpayer-funded grocery stores. MBC Chairman Frank Garcia announced their intention to send a letter to Mamdani’s office soon. This letter will outline their forthcoming legal strategy to defend competing stores, bodegas, and small businesses. Garcia stated that if Mayor Mamdani does not meet with the coalition within three weeks, they will proceed with legal action.

Mamdani has faced past criticism for similar attempts, but he remains confident in his plan.

The coalition expressed frustration over the lack of communication with the mayor. “The [New York City] commissioner said this administration is open to speak to everybody,” Garcia told Fox News Digital. “I’ve been waiting for a meeting for months. Why aren’t they having me?” He emphasized that the planned lawsuit is nonpartisan, focusing on raising awareness of the challenges small business owners face with rising costs in New York City.

Although the lawsuit is still pending, Garcia assured that they have legal preparations in place. “We’re ready to file the lawsuit if the mayor doesn’t meet with us,” he confirmed.

Garcia highlighted the broad support they have from various organizations, both Republican and Democrat. “We’re going to meet everybody,” he said. The coalition includes African, Asian, Caribbean, Hispanic, Jewish, and Middle Eastern business communities. It has backing from several lawmakers, including New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

The lawsuit aligns with the coalition’s founding mission earlier this year: to oppose Mamdani’s grocery store initiative. Recent announcements about city-backed grocery stores drew renewed criticism. Some labeled it a “communist fantasy.” Mamdani also faces a separate lawsuit from landlords challenging a city-imposed rent freeze he endorsed.

Fox News Digital attempted to reach the mayor’s office for comment. The organization remains determined to take legal action if necessary.