Mamdani defends city-run grocery plan, says store owners can be 'partners'

New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani said it will be possible for a "partnership" between the city and grocery store and bodega owners, despite his plan to open five city-run grocery stores if elected mayor this November.

"What do you say to the grocery-store owners who are concerned that this could create a ricochet effect, if there are more and more city-owned grocery stores in the city?" Fox News Digital asked Mamdani at an anti-Trump event in the Bronx on Thursday afternoon. 

"I am interested in working with each and every New Yorker, and I've actually spoken with a number of grocery store owners and made clear to them that I both recognize and I appreciate the work that they have done. The fact is that they are a critical part of our communities," Mamdani replied. 

Mamdani told Fox News Digital that a majority of grocery stores in New York C...