City owned grocery store similar to Mamdani proposal fails bigly, closes doors

New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani may want to take note of what is happening in Missouri.

The socialist candidate has proposed instituting publicly funded grocery stores in the Big Apple, but if what’s happening to the Sun Fresh Market in Kansas City is any indication, that’s a plan doomed to failure.

The Sun Fresh Market, opened as part of a 2018 revitalization effort, would be taken over in 2022 by the nonprofit Community Builders of Kansas City. Since its opening, the location has faced problem after problem, resulting in local officials vowing to allot thousands of dollars for security measures. Additionally, a mysterious, foul odor and empty shelves have discouraged shoppers from visiting the store.

“Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we are no longer, at this time, able to serve the residents of this community,” reads a sign posted at the business. “It has always been our dream and passion to provide quality products and services in a safe, family environment. At this time, unfortunately, we are unable to do that.”

Mamdani has suggested a similar program for the residents of New York City.

“The sudden shutdown comes a few months after Mamdani secured the New York City Democratic mayoral nomination with a campaign centered on affordability, including a plan to establish a $65 million network of government-owned grocery stores, with one located in each of the five boroughs,” The New York Post reported. “The Queens assemblyman has repeatedly claimed that city funds would be redirected from corporate supermarkets to city-owned groceries that would lower prices.”

Much like many Democrat promises, the plan is short on key details. Most importantly, it’s unclear who would be responsible for the management of such a store, and how potential supply chain issues would be addressed to maintain properly stocked shelves.

“No matter how you think about the idea, I do think there should be room for reasonable policy experimentation in our cities and in our country, where we actually test out our idea,” Mamdani said during a podcast appearance in July. “And if they work, they work. And if they don’t, c’est la vie, then the idea was wrong.”

X users weighed in on the issue:

Agreed. I don’t think most voters these days remember East and West Germany, but the people of NYC can just leave and move to Florida, and take their business and money with them.

— Jake (@Jake84629) August 13, 2025

Mamdani can open his refrigerator to everyone!

— Samantha Markle (@BabesMatrix) August 13, 2025

I bet lots of money was made along the chain of leadership…that is the purpose. Make certain people rich.

— Brian Sweeney (@BrianSweeney33) August 13, 2025

I feel bad for what’s coming for New York. Smh.

— Aaron Dibert (@dibert_aaron) August 13, 2025

Well, nothing to see here at lease New Yorkers and Mamdani didn’t see it…

— Flora H. L. (@FloraHL6) August 13, 2025

Writer/Columnist

Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to BizPac Review.

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