Fox News Aug 26, 2026
NYC business owners revolt over Mamdani's government-run grocery stores: 'Doomed for disaster'
Coverage of the coalition's rally outside American Deli Mini Market in East Harlem, across from the planned La Marqueta store.
One Voice for Multicultural Business
More than 50 chambers of commerce and business organizations, representing Hispanic, Asian, Caribbean, African, Middle Eastern, Jewish, South Asian, and immigrant business communities, united in one coalition.
Who we are
About the Coalition
The Multicultural Business Coalition is not a membership organization for individual businesses. It is an alliance of the chambers of commerce and business associations that already represent them: the Orthodox Jewish Chamber, the Greater New York Chamber, the Caribbean, Korean, Hispanic, Bangladeshi, and Nepali chambers, the supermarket and bodega associations, and dozens more. Each keeps its own members and its own mission. Together they speak with one voice.
When those communities share a problem, the coalition is the hammer. In 2026 that has meant taking New York City to court over its plan for government-run grocery stores, and pressing City Hall, Albany, and Washington on certification, lending, taxes, and wages.
The coalition in numbers
- Minority-owned bodegas and supermarkets at risk under the city-run grocery plan
- 1,000
- Organizations united at the May 2026 launch
- 65
- Member chambers and business organizations
- 50+
Where we stand
Our Positions
The coalition takes positions on the city, state, and federal measures that decide whether immigrant- and minority-owned businesses can keep their doors open. These are the issues our members have asked us to fight on.
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Oppose · New York City
City-run grocery stores
Five city-owned supermarkets, one per borough, selling produce, meat, bread, and milk at 30 percent below retail on rent-free municipal land. No private grocer can match a subsidized competitor across the street.
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Oppose the restriction · Federal
SBA loan access for legal permanent residents
A federal Small Business Administration policy restricts SBA-backed loan programs for legal permanent residents, cutting off financing immigrant business owners have relied on for decades.
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Reform · New York City and State
Minority and women-owned business certification
Certification programs meant to open public contracting to minority-owned firms have become increasingly difficult to access and navigate.
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Oppose · New York City
Property tax increases on neighborhood retailers
Proposed property tax increases would fall disproportionately on the neighborhood retailers serving minority communities.
Newsroom
Recent Coverage
The Real Deal Aug 25, 2026
Small biz group takes issue with sites ID'd in Mamdani's city grocery plan
The New York Times Aug 24, 2026
Business coalition sues to stop Mamdani's city-run grocery stores
“My grandfather opened up one of the first bodegas in the late 1960s when East Harlem was burning and the A&Ps and Waldbaums were leaving. He established the first Latino Grocery Association to protect the rights of immigrant store owners. I am proud to be following up in his tradition.”
Events
Events
Nothing is scheduled right now. Sign up for alerts and we will tell you about the next hearing, rally, or press conference.
Recent
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Rally August 26, 2026
Rally at La Marqueta, East Harlem
Two days after filing suit, coalition members and bodega owners rallied across the street from the planned Manhattan city-run store. Mark Jaffe of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and the market's owner spoke.
Fox News coverage -
Court filing August 24, 2026
Two lawsuits filed in New York County Supreme Court
A class action on civil rights and equal protection grounds and a second suit to block the city-run grocery stores pending required review.
About the lawsuits
Get involved
Get Involved
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Support the Coalition
The coalition is raising $1 million for the legal challenge to the city-run grocery store plan, for lobbying, and for a public campaign on what small grocers are up against. Every contribution goes to that fight.
Support the fund -
See Who We Represent
Fifty-plus chambers and business organizations make up the coalition. Find your community's chamber, and see what each brings to the table.
Member organizations -
Follow the Fight
Hearings, rallies, court dates, and the press coverage as it happens. Sign up for alerts and we will tell you where and when.
Newsroom and alerts
Stay Informed
Alerts on hearings, rallies, court dates, and the issues the coalition is fighting on.