Chemist said
“Finally, as with anything related to NYC, there will also be a ton of graft and outright theft.”
Indeed in a little city near where I live there was an excellent grocery store part of one of the larger New England Chains. It was brand new, had good prices, all sorts of products, including very high quality produce and types of produce (Jicama, Star Fruit, Mangoes, Plantain etc) rarely if ever seen in New England Grocery stores. After about 3-4 years of operation, the chain closed it. I happened to know a person who was a relative of one of the managers. Shrinkage (i.e. Theft) was the main issue. But it wasn’t shoplifting or at the front of the store as they say. It was the back of the store, cases of stuff (canned, produce, meat) would come in the back and go right back out often to be broken up and sold to small stores and restaurants. Now, picture NYC and that Mamdani will try to use these grocery stores as a way to employ the indigent and his pals (but I repeat myself) and picture the scenario I just spelled out. Ultimately the stores would just be another sink hole for NYC taxes; they’d be losing money hand over fist from the day they opened.
Anyone here ever live in a state and time when all the alcohol retail had to be done from State ABC Stores run by the Alcohol Beverage Commission, a state agency? They were inhospitable, bleak, all product behind the counter, limited selection, typical state employee lack of caring about anything including customer service, very limited hours and high prices. Other than that, a great retail experience.
It was the US version of a Soviet grocery store circa 1965.
It sounds wonderful comrade. I know that New Hampshire has state run stores that sell booze on one of the main highways heading up toward the vacation areas. But I don’t know if there is any private competition.