Kevin O’Leary, chairman of O’Leary Ventures, explains why urban supermarkets are a ‘bad idea’, shares his concerns about Zohran Mamdani’s promises and discusses why he stands behind Bitzero.
Atlanta’s first publicly operated grocery store, Azalea Fresh Market, is off to a successful start, according to city officials.
The community-run supermarket, funded by taxpayers, is located in a downtown area long considered a food desert. City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, IGA and Savi Provisions worked together to develop the store, which has served tens of thousands of customers since opening last fall.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens told Black Enterprise that the store served more than 20,000 customers in the first few weeks after opening last fall.
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“Our government is committed to expanding access to fresh food across the city, and Azalea Fresh Market is an important milestone in ensuring healthy, whole neighborhoods,” Dickens, who is also chairman of Invest Atlanta’s board of directors, said in a statement.
Azalea Fresh Market in Atlanta is the first municipal grocery store in the state. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
Dickens called the store a “community center that will serve local residents, support Georgia products and promote healthier lifestyles as we continue to revitalize Downtown.”
Dr. Eloisa Klementich, CEO of Invest Atlanta, said the store’s goal is also to “spur local job growth and continue to stimulate the downtown economy.”
“This initiative is another example of Atlanta taking the lead in addressing food access and food insecurity with a new grocery store model that will promote sustainable community development and enrich the lives of local residents,” said Klementich.
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Open daily from 7am to 10pm, the store spans two levels and offers a wide range of products including fresh produce, dairy, meat and basic essentials. It also uses resources from local farmers and suppliers to support the regional economy.
Azalea Fresh Market in Atlanta is the first municipal grocery store in the state. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
Atlanta’s efforts are being closely watched by other cities, some struggling to maintain similar government-backed supermarkets and others considering launching their own stores.
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Socialist New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who was sworn in on New Year’s Day, has floated the idea of city-owned grocery stores in the Big Apple.
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks during the United Federation of Teachers Mayors Forum in New York on May 17, 2025. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg/Getty Images/Getty Images)
Mamdani campaigned on a series of progressive policies aimed at lowering the cost of living. Among his proposals, Mamdani said he wanted to create a network of the city’s supermarkets. But Mamdani’s plan faced opposition from business leaders, with billionaire supermarket executive John Catsimatidis at one point threatening that he would close or sell his Gristedes locations if the city moved forward with government-run supermarkets.
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Although Catsimatidis later dismissed these threats, he has said he plans to reduce his company’s exposure in New York.
