Greek-American billionaire John Catsimatidis says he is determined to close or sell Manhattan-based supermarket chain "Gristedes", if Democratic Socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani is elected mayor of New York.
HDN Newsroom
"We can't compete with Mamdani when he's opening municipal supermarkets" self-made Greek-American billionaire John Catsimatidis told The New York Post, referring to the Mamdani's plans to create government-owned and operated grocery stores in all five of the city's municipalities.
"Will Mamdani operate the supermarkets with the help of the unions? When the theft of products begins, will the police arrest the culprits?" asked the Greek-American supermarket tycoon.
The Gristedes supermarket chain, founded in 1888 with the first store in Manhattan, currently operates 17 stores in New York City, according to its official website.
Catsimatidis also warned that if corporate taxes in New York rise — that's on Mandani's agenda — he would be forced to move his company's headquarters elsewhere."We would probably move our headquarters to New Jersey," he said.
This move could also involve Mr. Catsimatidis' Red Apple Group, which includes activities in the real estate, energy and many other business sectors.
In an interview with The New York Press, John Catsimatidis said that if Mamdani takes becomes Mayor of New York, then he (Mr. Catsimatidis) will spend more time in Florida, which he described as "the promised land." "I would spend less than 183 days a year here, that's for sure," he noted.
John Catsimatidis is not the only businessman considering leaving New York if Mamdani is elected. Billionaire investment fund manager Bill Ackman also argued that the election of Mamdani could trigger a wave of flight from the city, similar to that of the coronavirus pandemic.
"If Mamdani becomes mayor of New York, you're going to see businesses leave. Most companies in the financial sector are extremely geographically flexible," Mr. Ackman warned.
He revealed that his company, Pershing Square, is considering moving to Miami.
A spokesperson for Mr. Mamdani did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A poll on Tuesday showed Mamdani holding a slim lead over former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who resigned in 2021 after sexual harassment allegations, which he still denies.
