Welcome to another edition of Mercantile Mayhem, my newsletter about the survival of independent business in New York City. I went into paparazzi-mode over the past week as there were multiple openings, expansions and launches. It’s heartening to see new chapters for businesses during this affordability-challenged time.
A GARGANTUAN POTLUCK FUNDRAISER FOR LIZA DE GUIA’S SERIES: FOOD. CURATED.
I know it’s a corny saying, but I kept on thinking, “your vibe attracts your tribe” at a recent fundraiser potluck for Liza de Guia.’s documentary series food. curated. The sold out fundraiser took place at Farm to People HQ in Brooklyn, the entire space was filled with enthusiastic de Guia supporters who not only paid for a ticket, but also brought a dish. Every inch of tabletop and counter space had incredible platters, bowls and big pans of food with roots from all over the globe. Even the courtyard was sizzling with BBQ grilling.
The funds raised will go towards national distribution of her food documentary series via American Public Television and NYC Media.
While I only know de Guia from afar, the outpouring of love and support can only be a reflection of de Guia herself, professionally and personally. it was wonderful to experience such a joyous, positive event, especially during this era with so much casual cruelty.
De Guia’s paramour Geoff Rickly of the band Thursday performed with John Tsung and Sloppy Jane. Short speeches were made by Anna Gordon of The Good Batch Bakery and Fany Gerson of Fan-Fan Doughnuts.
De Guia, who won a a James Beard Award, has been researching/writing/
producing/shooting/hosting/editing videos for more than 15 years. Her short documentaries delve into the stories behind food makers, farmers and those creating innovative food systems, nearly all are entrepreneurs and business owners as well.
Some of De Guia’s documentaries tell the earliest stories behind today’s food superstars, like Fany Gerson of Fan-Fan Doughnuts/La New Yorkina, Paul Giannone of Paulie Gee’s Pizza and Dan “Danny Macaroons” Cohen of Super Nice Coffee and Bakery (and now pizza too) among others. Archived food. curated. videos can be found here.
De Guia and I have many overlapping story subject interests, so I knew many people in attendance, either personally or from afar through their businesses. But I met a few new people working on interesting food/story telling projects, like journalist Pervaiz Shallwani, now of Chaat Dog. I’m looking forward to his series: Stinky Lunch Kids Strike Back.
Starting this summer, food. curated. will air on WNYE, channel 25 in New York City, featuring a whole new batch of food makers and innovators—it could be bakers, sauce makers, cafe owners or rooftop farmers, follow food. curated.’s Instagram for more information. And de Guia is always on the lookout for new subjects, FYI.
JUDI ROSEN VINTAGE SALE
Denim Queen Judi Rosen will open her vintage archives this Saturday, May 16, 2026, at her Elizabeth Street store for a special sale.
According to this Instagram post she’ll have “rare 60’s denim, 70’s suits & coats, 80’s leather jumpsuits, decades of iconic clothing.” Aaaand, I should mention, Joan as Police Woman (who I looooooove) is in the post with Rosen. Will Joan as Police Woman have items for sale too? We shall see.
A CONVERSATION ABOUT BOLSTERING STOREFRONT BUSINESSES
The Center for an Urban Future is organizing a panel discussion about independent storefront retail businesses on May 28, 2026. Panelists will discuss the challenges New York City store owners face: rising costs across the board including rents and insurance, as well as navigating permits, regulations and fees. Can city leaders help reduce these burdens?
Panelists include Vic Lee of Welcome to Chinatown, Randy Peers of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Justin Rodgers of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, Pedro Suarez of the Third Avenue Business Improvement District and Jessica Walker of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.
This event would be an excellent opportunity for independent NYC shop owners to ask questions, in person or online, click here for more information and to RSVP.
THE GOODS MART IS NOW OPEN IN WILLIAMSBURG
Snacks abound at The Goods Mart’s new location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The space is twice the size of the previous Manhattan location and gets gorgeous light through large windows facing the East River. It’s located in a fairly new set of buildings called the Williamsburg Wharf by its developer the Naftali Group, where a Breads Bakery and Naked Tomato will be opening in the near future.
Rachel Krupa, The Goods Mart’s founder, is no stranger to snacks, she’s been in and around the food business for more than two decades. When I went to visit the new location yesterday on opening day, May 13, I perused the products. They are an excellent mix of better known snack brands and more obscure, at least to me.
The Goods Mart carries many NYC-based and/or NYC-manufactured brands including Sourmilk Yogurt (I wrote about the co-founder mavericks a few newsletters back) Holy Tschili, Doosra, Djablo Sauce, ZaZa Pita Chips with za’atar (I bought a bag and ate it in one sitting 😬) Khalo, Paro, Monte’s, Cabi, Uncle's Thai Food, Fine & Raw Chocolate, Oh So Easy, among others. Prepared foods by Isle of Us and sandwiches from Alidoro.
Bonus: there is a free Ms Pac-Man game customers can play.
MAMDANI’S PROPOSED CITY-OWNED GROCERY STORES FACES PUSHBACK
According to an article in The New York Post by Lisa Fickenscher, a newly formed immigrant-led business group is amassing a $1 million “war chest” to oppose Mamdani’s plan to open city-owned grocery stores. Bodega and grocery store owners say free rent and real estate tax breaks given to the proposed city-owned grocery stores is unfair competition.
“We will be at the hearing in force,” Frank Garcia, chairman of the new Multicultural Business Coalition told The New York Post about a possible May 28 meeting. “We don’t want to hurt the mayor but we are not going to let him hurt us.” Mysteriously, according to the article, the group’s $1 million “war chest” has come from a single donor.
I wrote my thoughts on city-owned grocery stores previously, I don’t think it’s the best path to alleviate grocery costs for NYC residents in need. Running a grocery store is expensive with tiny margins. One of the most succinct summaries I’ve read about what a waste of funds a city-run grocery store would be, was written by supermarket veteran Phil Lempert on his substack, The Lempert Report. “I don’t see a food policy solution,” wrote Lempert, “I see political theater.”
A MOTHER-DAUGHTER FROZEN PIZZA COMPANY IN BROOKLYN
If you’ve strolled through NYC supermarkets’ frozen food sections you’ve probably come across La Rossi Pizza. These blast frozen pizzas are made in Brooklyn by a mother and daughter team, Martina Rossi Kenworthy, originally from Genoa, Italy and Bianca Kenworthy. I first heard about La Rossi Pizza through my neighbor, who had just sampled some at a local Whole Foods and she raved about them.
Last week there was a La Rossi Pizza party at Slik, a Danish candy store in the East Village. (The area could be called Little Copenhagen soon, due to the spreading Danish businesses).
It was the first time I’d tasted La Rossi pizza and I was struck by the delicious crust made from grains sourced from Upstate New York. As of now, all La Rossi’s sourcing and manufacturing is local, however that could change in the future as the company expands.
Slik sells typical Scandiland candy from bins, as well as Finland’s mighty Fazer milk chocolate bar and dreamy licorice. Customers can also buy soft serve ice cream, which is rich and creamy.
TARIFFS
On May 7, 2026, Trump’s attempt at 10% tariffs came to an end. Please watch this clip of Ethan Frisch and Ori Zohar, co-founders of the spice company Burlap & Barrel on Bloomberg TV talk about how they won their lawsuit filed against Trump’s 10% tariffs.
MALAI IN MANHATTAN, NOW ON CHRISTOPHER STREET
Manhattanites rejoice, there is now a Malai Ice Cream shop in the West Village on Christopher Street. I happen to love ice cream and South Asian flavors, so that makes Malai one of my favorite ice cream shops.
This new location makes a total of four Malai shops, two in New York City (the original shop is in Brooklyn) one in DC and another in Philadelphia.
Founder Pooja Bavishi first launched Malai in 2015 and I remember finding her at a Crosby Street fair when she first started scooping her creamy creations.
The Christopher Street Malai opening was packed with friends, family and fans. Fellow entrepreneurs celebrated, like Ayan Sanyal of Kolkata Chai Co, Umaimah Sharwani of Paro and Varsha Harlalka and Viraj Borkar of Fonty’s Deli + Dukaan across the street (yes, home of the famous naanini).
MORE ADVENTURES AT THE COMMUNITY BOARD 2 MEETING
Has anyone at the Department of Transportation (DOT) heard the saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”? In the last Mercantile Mayhem, I wrote about DOT’s plan to make Lafayette Street one lane of auto traffic from Prince Street to 8th Street, which was announced in late March, 2026.
It’s clear that DOT plans to go forward with their redesign, despite performative meetings with people along Lafayette Street who hate the plan. It will likely cause gridlock, honking and impede emergency vehicles. (DOT’s solution is for the FDNY to take the bike path if the street is backed up.)
The new plan was designed so bikers who live in Brooklyn and are too scared and/or inconvenienced to bike southbound on Broadway or the Bowery for a few blocks. Residents and businesses in the Lafayette Street area will live with gridlock, honking, trucks unable to unload/load without causing a backup, so Chad can bike home to Brooklyn on Lafayette Street.
I am going to report on this further, stay tuned. But all I can say is thank you to the the one Community Board 2 member who voted “no” at the last meeting.
Thank you to Mercantile Mayhem’s sponsor Accompany Capital. Located in New York City, Accompany Capital helps micro and small businesses with loans and free financial services. Please read about Accompany Capital, a CDFI, here.
Thank you to Small Business Majority, Mercantile Mayhem’s sponsor. Small Business Majority supports and empowers small businesses across the US with a focus on public policy. Please read about the organization here and visit their finance resource platform Venturize.
MERCANTILE MAYHEM SPONSORSHIP
I am still looking for one additional sponsor, three in total. This individual, business, organization or foundation must believe that independent businesses in New York City need to survive and thrive. Do you want a city full of just Chipotles, Starbucks and bank ATMs? No! Do you value the character that independent businesses bring to New York City? Yes!
If you would like to know Mercantile Mayhem sponsorship rates and newsletter stats please email me: ninarobertsnyc@gmail.com and I’ll send you the details. Please forward this newsletter to others.
OPPORTUNITIES GALORE
Santander’s Cohort 14 is calling! The free Cultivate Small Business program is geared for early-stage food businesses across the US with revenues of $25k - $1M. Participants receive mentorship, gain a community of fellow entrepreneurs and capital grants of $2,500 to $20,000. The next cohort begins in September 2026, deadline to apply is July 21, 2026. Look here for more information or submit an application here.
Naturally New York and FreshDirect are holding a pitch contest on June 11, 2026 for CPG (consumer packaged goods) founders, described on Naturally New York’s event page. And yes, FreshDirect bigwigs will hear the pitches, winners will get all sorts of FreshDirect-related benefits. Founders must apply in order to pitch and there are some requirements, such as being a member of Naturally New York. Deadline to apply is May 22, 2026, click here to apply.
Peeps in Pantry (snacks, sauces, etc) it’s time for Bon Appétit’s Pantry Awards, deadline is May 31, 2026.
The Brooklyn PowerUP Business Plan Competition is revving up for a new season, winners can get $20,000, $10,000, and $5,000 prizes. There are requirements, so read the FAQ. There is no clear deadline that I can find.
The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is giving grants for NYC small businesses to train and retain staff, reimbursing up to 60% of the training costs. There are rolling deadlines, but read the many rules, regulations and requirements here.
WomensNet offers a number of grants to women-owned businesses on a rolling basis, peruse grant information here.
Small Business Majority (yes, one of my woooonderful sponsors!) has ongoing live virtual webinars as well as on-demand webinars, check their events page here.
Start Small Think Big is an organization that pairs experts with small business owners for free to share their expertise. I usually list specific workshops, like choosing the right legal structure, or using NDAs, but there are many in the near future, you can peruse them here.
Welcome to Chinatown still has an open call for their Test Thursday program. The program allows emerging food and beverage brands to test out their serving operations and products, click here for more information.
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