Phillip Grant is feeling optimistic. He thinks he’s the best man to operate Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s city-run supermarkets. Along with being a former city economic development executive and construction entrepreneur, he’s a New Yorker who’s shocked that an orange costs $2 at his local gas station.
We’re walking the perimeter of a vacant city-owned lot in East Harlem. It’s the future spot for La Marqueta, one of five planned stores set to open by the end of Mamdani’s first term — all of which will offer a 30% discount on core goods like fruit, vegetables, and dairy. It’s also the most expensive location, accounting for $30 million of the $70…
