on Apr 15, 2026

HR&A is proud to support NYC’s Launch of a City-Owned Grocery Store

New York City’s launch of its public grocery store initiative is an exciting step towards making public options a reality in more places. By late 2027, the City plans to open its first publicly owned grocery store and aims to expand the model to every borough by the end of the Mayor’s term.

 

HR&A Advisors is proud to support the Economic Security Project in developing practical pathways to public options in New York City and across the nation. As food prices continue to rise and access to quality options declines, now is the time for bold action that leverages the public sector’s capacity to address gaps and intervene where the market has fallen short. HR&A looks forward to supporting more local governments in tackling food affordability and access challenges head-on with solutions that lower food costs, expand reliable access, and deliver measurable improvements to community health and food security.

 

New York City’s public grocery store initiative is an important step in the right direction—not only in vision, but in execution. Making public options viable requires technical, behind‑the‑scenes work—analyzing market gaps, evaluating ownership and operating models, identifying sites, and aligning financing with long‑term affordability. Across San Francisco, Philadelphia, Seattle, Chicago, and now New York City, we’ve supported public leaders in translating ambition into clear pathways forward for providing public options to meet community needs and gaps in the market.

 

To learn more about New York City’s plan for a public grocery, view Mayor Mamdani and Deputy Mayor Su’s recent press conference or read this recently published New York Times article on the vision for the City’s first publicly-owned grocery store at La Marqueta in East Harlem.