NYC free grocery store pop-up draws long lines amid regulator scrutiny

Polymarket opened a West Village pop-up described as a 'free grocery store' that drew more than 400 people and donated $1 million to the Food Bank for NYC. The event comes as prediction betting platforms face warnings from New York regulators and proposed legislation.

Polymarket opened a West Village pop-up it described as New York City's first "free grocery store." More than 400 people lined up hours before the 2 p.m. opening to fill tote bags with produce, nonperishables and toiletries. The event referenced a proposal by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and follows similar promotion by a rival prediction market. Polymarket said it also donated $1 million to the Food Bank for NYC. Key details: - The shop operated on Charles Street in the West Village and was scheduled to be open daily from 2 to 5 p.m. through Monday. - Shoppers reported receiving items such as eggs, fruit, meat, household goods and toiletries. - Polymarket launched the pop-up as prediction markets face scrutiny from New York officials and consumer alerts from Attorney General Letitia James. - State Assemblymember Clyde Vanel proposed legislation last year that would categorize some prediction market contracts as unlicensed gambling and set civil fines for violations. - News reports cited a recent indictment in Israel of two people accused of using classified information to place bets on a prediction platform. - A state comptroller report noted that grocery prices in New York City rose 65.8% from 2012–23 to 2022–23, and that one in nine households experienced food insecurity between 2020 and 2022. Summary: The pop-up provided free groceries to hundreds of New Yorkers and included a notable charitable donation, highlighting local concerns about rising grocery costs and food insecurity. Regulatory attention to prediction markets in New York remains active, and the short-term operation of the store is scheduled through Monday; broader legal or policy outcomes are undetermined at this time.