‘I Favor Free Enterprise’: Dem Gov Throws Mud At Mamdani’s Government-Owned Grocery Store Plan

Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul slammed socialist NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s proposal for city-run grocery stores, saying she supports private enterprise.

“I favor free enterprise,” Hochul told business leaders Saturday at a Hamptons breakfast hosted by supermarket mogul John Catsimatidis, The New York Post reported. Her remarks drew loud applause from attendees, including Catsimatidis himself. (RELATED: Hakeem Jeffries Can’t Stop Ducking And Dodging When Pressed On Mamdani’s Socialism)

Hochul throws shade on Mamdani’s NYC-owned grocery store plan: ‘I favor free enterprise’ 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 fail, pointing to a Kansas City, Mo., government-owned grocery store that shuttered Monday after years of taxpayer losses and chronic issues like shoplifting and empty shelves. The city reportedly spent $18 million trying to keep the store afloat.

“New York City is a capitalist city – look what happened in Kansas City?” Catsimatidis said. “These types of grocery stores just don’t work.”

Mamdani, a Democratic nominee and frontrunner for November’s mayoral race, has proposed opening five municipal grocery stores, one in each borough, with the potential to expand. The first five are estimated to cost $60 million combined to build.

Critics have warned the plan could create “Soviet-style” markets, leaving shoppers with limited brand options and forcing private grocers like Gristedes out of business, reducing choice and competition.

As owner of Gristedes and D’Agostino’s—New York City’s oldest and largest independent supermarket chains—I’ve spent my life keeping shelves stocked, workers employed and families fed. Now comes Zohran Mamdani, writes @JCats2013 https://t.co/DxGQZtp53l

— Wall Street Journal Opinion (@WSJopinion) July 1, 2025

NYC mayoral wannabe Zohran Mamdani wants city-run grocery stores — 5 of them, one per borough.

No rent. No property taxes. Wholesale pricing.
Translation: government-subsidized competition to crush mom-and-pop shops.

Critics call it “Soviet-style” and a “disaster-in-waiting.”… pic.twitter.com/OCgLCNVkBb

— Jake (@JakeCan72) August 14, 2025

Hochul has yet to endorse a candidate in the mayoral race. Mamdani’s campaign declined to comment on the criticism.