Bodegas have been a New York City staple since they first appeared in East Harlem in the 50s with the large influx of Puerto Rican immigrants. True to classic NYC fashion, they are steadily disappearing with "the gentrification crisis" as many dyed-in-the-wool New Yorkers refer to it.
When the rents go up, neighborhoods change and developers replace these classics haunts that have been around for 50 years with a sterile "artisanal" chain restaurant or coffee house.
What makes bodegas more than just another "corner store" or "convenience shop" is that they are generally open 24 hours, they carry ethnic foods, and they have more beer than any other retail outlet in the five boroughs.
Back in the late 70s, many bodegas in East Harlem, the South Bronx, and the Lower East Side got busted for being fronts for drugs, bookmaking, and money laundering operations. In reality, the "outlaw bodegas" were really only a small percentage.
Just as it was 60 years ago, bodegas are mostly family operations with extended families pitching in their life savings to start up a successful business. Many still live close to the stores they run.
Why patronize your nearest bodega as opposed to a regular supermarket? Read on.
1. They have character
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Simply put, bodegas have character. They have charm. They have personality, warts and all. They have cats.
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Their bright red and yellow storefronts are hard to miss, and the shelves are packed tightly with everything from Goya Kidney Beans to old-school hair tonic.
2. Beer selection
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Bodegas have the largest selection of beer, period.
They carry a lot of brands you never heard of, didn't think they made anymore and then the owners throw in a few upscale brands for the hipsters and yuppies that might have moved to the 'hood recently.
3. Novelty
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Bodegas have off-brand cheap ice cream novelties galore in their freezers.
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If you love the old-school sundaes in a cup, or frozen, tri-color "snowballs," you can get them for a buck or buck-fifty here!
4. Lottery
Bodegas feature numerous scratch off games and you can buy lottery tickets 24/7.
The guy behind the counter will undoubtedly have a story about the time one of his customers won a big money prize or recommend some good numbers to play that day.
,5. Delis
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Bodegas have a fresh deli section and you can get an overstuffed sandwich for six bucks or less.
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Most of them carry Boar's Head products now, and will also sell you individual sandwich items to take home by the pound.
6. Cheap
Bodegas don't have prices that are as jacked up as a Duane Reade or other convenience store paying an outrageous rent.
You will find that their prices are lower on food and beverages than most other stores save for the occasional cheap, large supermarket like Aldi's or Pathmark in Harlem.
7. Community
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Bodega owners are "neighborhood guys" and are often hanging out in the stores. They remember you after a few visits and genuinely like to make chit chat and know how you're doing.
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They're even happy to order special items for you.
Check out 7 Stages of Buying Someone a Drink This Holiday Season.
[Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]