Politics in New York City is usually messy, but it rarely hits the corner store as hard as it did this past fall. If you’ve spent any time in the five boroughs, you know the bodega is basically the city’s living room. It’s where you get your coffee, your egg-and-cheese, and maybe a little neighborhood gossip. But recently, the gossip was about the guys running the show.
The drama centered on the United Bodegas of America (UBA), a heavyweight advocacy group. In late October 2025, the founder of NYC bodega group resigns headline started flashing across local news, and it wasn’t just a simple retirement. Fernando Mateo, the man who helped build the UBA into a political force, walked away in a move that sent shockwaves through the small business community.
He didn't just leave. He left swinging.
Why the Founder of NYC Bodega Group Resigns (and Why Now)
So, why did a founder step down from a group he literally helped create? Honestly, it comes down to a massive political betrayal.
On October 29, 2025, Radhames Rodriguez, the president of the UBA, stood alongside mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and offered the group's full endorsement. For Mateo and a huge chunk of the bodega community, this was like a slap in the face. Mamdani is a self-described Democratic Socialist. His platform included things like "defunding the police" and creating city-owned grocery stores.
To many bodega owners, those ideas are an existential threat.
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Mateo didn't hold back. He called the endorsement a "betrayal" of thousands of owners who never got a vote on the matter. Basically, Rodriguez went rogue. Within days, the founder of NYC bodega group resigns and announces he’s starting a rival organization called the Bodega Alliance.
The Friction Between Profit and Politics
New York City’s 14,000+ bodegas aren't a monolith, but they generally agree on one thing: they want to stay in business.
The UBA was founded to protect these mom-and-pop shops from rising crime and crushing city fines. So, when the group’s president endorsed a candidate who wanted to compete with them using taxpayer-funded grocery stores, the internal logic of the UBA shattered. Mateo argued that the UBA was supposed to be a non-profit, non-partisan entity. By picking a side—especially a side that many owners felt was "anti-business"—Rodriguez allegedly violated the trust of the very people he represented.
Mateo’s exit wasn't just about hurt feelings. He claimed the endorsement might have even jeopardized the UBA’s legal non-profit status. It’s a messy, high-stakes divorce.
A City Divided: The Aftermath of the Resignation
Now that we’re in January 2026, the dust is starting to settle, but the landscape looks totally different. Zohran Mamdani won the election and took office on January 1st, and the bodega world is now split in two.
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- The UBA (The Establishment): Still led by Radhames Rodriguez, they are trying to work with Mayor Mamdani. They’re banking on his promises to cut small business fines in half and reduce the red tape that makes running a shop a nightmare.
- The Bodega Alliance (The Rebels): This is Mateo’s new home. They are doubling down on public safety. Just last week, after a shooting in a Flatbush deli, Mateo was back on the news as a spokesperson, demanding a "return on our dollar" in the form of better policing.
It’s a classic NYC power struggle. You’ve got one side trying to play nice with the new administration to get some financial relief, and the other side (Mateo) refusing to back down on issues of crime and competition.
What Most People Get Wrong About Bodegas
Most people think bodegas are just convenience stores. They aren't. They are micro-economies.
When a group like the UBA splits, it affects how these owners interact with the NYPD, how they handle cigarette tax laws, and even how they deal with the "bodega cat" legislation that's currently floating around the City Council. Without a unified voice, small shop owners are worried they’ll get steamrolled by bigger retail chains or new city regulations.
Francisco Marte, another major player from the Bodega and Small Business Association, sided with Mateo. He’s been vocal about the "chaos" he thinks socialist policies bring to the local economy. Honestly, the fear is real. If you’re a guy who spent 20 years building a deli, the last thing you want is a government-run store opening up next door and selling milk at a loss.
The Future of NYC's Corner Stores
The resignation of Fernando Mateo wasn't the end of a story; it was the start of a new, more fragmented era for New York’s small businesses.
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If you own a shop or just care about your local deli, here is what you need to keep an eye on in 2026:
1. The Public Safety Pivot
With Mateo leading the new Bodega Alliance, expect a lot of pressure on City Hall regarding retail theft. They aren't going to be quiet about the "no-prosecution" trends that have frustrated owners for the last few years.
2. The Fine Print on Fines
Mayor Mamdani promised to slash business fines. Will he actually do it? If the UBA can’t deliver that win for their members, they might see a mass exodus to Mateo’s new group.
3. The "City-Owned" Threat
Watch the City Council closely. If a bill actually moves forward to launch those five city-owned grocery stores, expect the Bodega Alliance to file lawsuits faster than you can order a bacon, egg, and cheese.
The founder of NYC bodega group resigns saga reminds us that in New York, even your local corner store is a political battlefield. If you’re a business owner, now is the time to decide which group actually has your back. Don’t just pay your dues; look at who they’re endorsing and what that means for your bottom line. Check in with the Bodega Alliance if you’re worried about crime, or stay with the UBA if you’re hoping for a better relationship with the current Mayor. Your neighborhood depends on these shops staying open, so pay attention to who’s steering the ship.