Posted on 02/14/2026 8:36:37 PM PST by SeekAndFind
New Yorkers are embracing a free market.
Hundreds of people lined up Thursday for a chance to shop at the city’s “first free grocery store” — launched by Polymarket as it and other prediction betting platforms face increased scrutiny from state regulators.
The West Village shop — an apparent nod to Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s government-run grocery store pitch — drew more than 400 New Yorkers, who lined up hours ahead of the 2 p.m. opening, eager to fill blue tote bags with no-cost produce, nonperishables and toiletries.
“Times are hard. Things are very expensive, so this helps,” said Forest Hills resident Tori Hall, who was second in line outside the pop-up store. “It goes a long way.”
The stunt followed a similar move from rival prediction market Kalshi, which hosted a $50 grocery giveaway for East Village shoppers earlier this month.
Mamdani cheekily responded to Polymarket’s free store announcement this month on X, posting a photo of a sardonic headline reading: “Heartbreaking: The worst person you know just made a great point.”
The popular betting app, which allows users to gamble on world events like military actions and political outcomes, has drawn concerns over the possible use of classified or otherwise “insider” information to wager.
Just this week, an Israel Defense Forces reservist and a civilian were indicted in Israel over allegedly using classified military information to place bets on the platform, according to the Block, a cryptocurrency news site.
Prediction markets have also drawn the ire of New York Attorney General Letitia James, who in a pre-Super Bowl “consumer alert” warned that the platforms could violate state gambling laws and put users at “significant financial risk.”
State Assemblymember Clyde Vanel (D-Queens) introduced a bill last year that would categorize prediction market contracts as “unlicensed gambling.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
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If everything is Free you don’t need money so all your money can go to the city’s bank account instead , enjoy
I like their prices, I would like to see it catch on at Walmart and Albertsons.
Wait , stores that sell their product will lose business and the city will lose tax dollars , LOL
I must’ve missed it. What part did he not expect?
"… ahead of the 2 p.m. opening"
No wonder they are bums and can't hold a job. They shape up at 2 pm! I have nothing
but contempt for these people. 2 pm is almost quitting time in the rest of America.
“Polymarket” is a global cryptocurrency-based prediction market, headquartered in NYC. Launched in 2020, it offers a platform where individuals can place bets on future outcomes, including sports matches, economic indicators, weather patterns, awards, and political and legislative outcomes.
Just this week, an Israel Defense Force reservist in the US-tax sucking Israeli military, was indicted in Israel over allegedly using classified military information to place bets on the platform, according to the Block, a cryptocurrency news site.
“Prediction markets” have also drawn a “consumer alert” warning that the platforms could violate state gambling laws and put users at “significant financial risk.”
A NY State Assemblyman introduced a bill last year that would categorize “prediction market contracts” as “unlicensed gambling.”
Did anyone else notice the distinctly muzzlime-looking men looking like guards standing in front of this store? Did ManDummy hire some of his buddies for security?
So you have to make a wager to get the food ? Am I reading that right ?
Did anyone else notice the distinctly muzzlime-looking men looking like guards standing in front of this store? Did ManDummy hire some of his buddies for security?
I noticed that at first. Other photos shows that it is the line to get in.
Madami has nothing to do with this store.
The mayor has now met the produce and toiletry needs of 0.00004% of the people in NYC, and he did it in less than 2 months. Unfortunately, it will be likely that the store won’t re-open until April.
Times are definitely hard if you won't work.
I saw that. Why have angry men stand outside your store? Who does that?
How’s the camel meat doing. Giving away a lot of it?
It sounds like this private business just opened a food bank, and no payment is required. Similar to food banks at churches and charities.
If a private business wants to spend its money on a food bank, that’s OK. It probably will write off the expense as a tax deduction. Also, the business gets some advertisement in the news this way.
Private charity is different from government-run grocery stores. City or state-run stores would be a disaster.
I thought maybe this was a joke and people waited in line only to go inside and find nothing on the shelves. So it’s a actual “free” grocery store. How can the store owner go on forever giving out free stuff?
Subsidized by taxpayers?
Who’s paying for the heaters on the street?
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