Bodegas are a New York City institution. These small corner grocery stores offer convenience and local charm to nearly every NYC neighborhood, and they share similarities that go beyond cereal offerings. For nearly a century, New Yorkers have loved bodegas for their convenience, reliability, community-oriented nature, and cats…yes, cats. But if you’re new to the city, you may need an explainer to help you appreciate bodegas and what they’re all about.

So for all the fresh or aspiring New Yorkers — and locals who still don’t quite understand — let’s talk about bodegas and what makes them special.

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Homecrest

2711 Avenue X

$289,000

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1

Lower East Side

473 FDR Drive

$795,000

2 |

1

Kensington

488 Ocean Parkway

$499,000

1 |

1

Clinton Hill

531 Vanderbilt Avenue

$750,000

1 |

1

Gravesend

1802 Ocean Parkway

$399,000

2 |

1

Marine Park

1717 Hendricksn Street

$788,000

2 |

2

Ditmas Park

1818 Newkirk Avenue

$450,000

1 |

1

Park Slope

398 13th Street

$959,000

2 |

1

Borough Park

5024 Tenth Avenue

$699,000

Studio |

1

East Flatbush

1676 Troy Avenue

$649,000

3 |

2

Murray Hill (Queens)

146-17 Northern Boulevard

$750,000

2 |

2

Flatlands

5216 Avenue M

$799,000

3 |

3.5

A very brief history of bodegas in NYC

The name bodega originates from the Spanish word, which can mean “storeroom,” “wine cellar,” or “grocery store.” The majority of them were opened by Hispanic immigrants who came to New York after WWII and desired a local convenience store they could visit daily. New Yorkers as a whole took to the idea, and these small shops multiplied.

What is a bodega?

A bodega is a small convenience store that sells staples like chips, candy, coffee, sodas, lottery tickets, and over-the-counter medicine, along with household items like laundry detergent and trash bags. Some have a deli counter (where you can grab another NYC staple: the bacon egg and cheese), some sell beer, but what defines them goes beyond any one product or service.

Many are open 24/7, ensuring you’ll always have access to ramen and detergent in even the direst of situations (e.g. you’re doing laundry while hungry in the middle of the night). Bodegas are also ubiquitous, with more than 13,000 of them spread across NYC’s five boroughs. That number isn’t 100% certain — what counts as a bodega is subjective, and records are incomplete — but the true number is probably much higher.

Thanks to bodegas, if you need to pick something up after a night out or buy toilet paper during a snowstorm, you can do so without leaving your neighborhood.

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Borough Park

5501 15th Avenue

$2,795 base rent

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1

Cypress Hills

362 Ridgewood Avenue

$2,950 base rent

2 |

1

Flatbush

425 East 26th Street

$2,800 base rent

1 |

1

Fort Greene

169 Park Avenue

$2,600 base rent

1 |

1

Yorkville

1577 York Avenue

$2,300 base rent

Studio |

1

Hudson Heights

30 Magaw Place

$2,395 base rent

1 |

1

Murray Hill

25 East 38th Street

$2,700 base rent

Studio |

1

South Harlem

259 West 121st Street

$2,300 base rent

Studio |

1

Upper West Side

310 West 87th Street

$2,675 base rent

Studio |

1

Astoria

2-24 26th Avenue

$2,995 base rent

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1

Kew Gardens

132-77 Metropolitan Avenue

$2,694 base rent

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1

Kew Gardens

132-77 Metropolitan Avenue

$2,665 base rent

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1

What’s a bodega cat?

In addition to staples and sandwiches, bodegas have cats. Though some shoppers don’t appreciate their presence, bodega cats actually serve a greater good: exterminating rodents, whose company is (trust us) worse than even the grouchiest feline.

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, bodega cats are part of the charm, and each one is like a mascot for the store they inhabit. They’re a cultural mainstay for the city, inspiring Instagram accounts like @bodegacatsofinstagram, a YouTube series, and even an SNL sketch. So, don’t be surprised if you encounter one relaxing and purring away as you grab some chips and a soda.

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Can I send packages to my local bodega?

Perhaps the strangest concept for visitors and newbies to understand is that bodegas are neighborhood landmarks. Locals often know the owners and employees by name, and count on these stores to accept packages or hold onto keys for them in lieu of a doorman. Many bodega keepers are happy to help, and it’s common practice to pay a small thank-you tip for any not-strictly-bodega-related activity.

Other things to know about bodegas

You may find that bodega prices are more expensive than the nearest CVS or Duane Reade, but in many New Yorkers’ minds, the convenience is more than worth it. Many of them have a minimum for paying with a card, so be sure to carry cash, or you’ll find yourself doubling up on ice cream and cookies — not a tragic outcome by any means, but good to remember. Also, it’s hit or miss whether bodegas sell beer, and they’re only allowed to sell low-alcohol beverages. Luckily, there’s usually another bodega right down the block with everything else you’re searching for. And if you’re new in town or need some help finding an electrician or handyman, consider looking to your local bodega for advice — their local knowledge can extend far further than you might expect.

Are bodegas unique to NYC?

There’s endless, ongoing debate over whether bodegas are unique to New York City, or if they’re simply corner stores by another name. Bodega-like stores can certainly be found all over the country, and NYC doesn’t claim a monopoly on them. Regardless, whether you think bodegas are truly one-of-a-kind or just another convenience mart, New Yorkers love them anyway — and they’re here to stay.