Why do Americans call shops bodega?
Bodega is the Spanish word for "warehouse." When Spanish-speaking people began arriving in New York in large numbers during the first half of the 20th Century, they brought this word with them to describe small stores selling a variety of items including packaged food, beverages, cigarettes, newspapers, and candy.
What makes a place a bodega?
A bodega is a small corner store or market that sells groceries and wine. Many bodegas are located in Spanish-speaking neighborhoods of large cities. If you visit New York City, you'll see bodegas, little shops where people buy groceries and small items.
Are there only bodegas in New York?
(Somehow, the Eataly in the Financial District counts.) After analyzing public and online records, it appears the actual number of bodegas in New York City hovers somewhere around 8,000. Surprisingly, only 16 retail food stores throughout the five boroughs even use bodega or bodeguita in their registered names.
Is the term bodega offensive?
The company is facing some serious criticism. For example, Frank Garcia, chairman of the National Association of Latino State Chambers of Commerce, says just using the name "Bodega" is offensive. "The 'bodega' name is a very important name in the Puerto Rican and Hispanic community," Garcia tells CNBC Make It.
Why do New Yorkers love bodegas?
Bodegas might be a New York City phenomenon. These small grocery stores offer convenience to countless neighborhoods, and they share similarities that go beyond cereal offerings.
Why does New York have bodegas?
In New York City, a bodega is a small owner-operated convenience store. Its name is derived from the Spanish word for "storeroom" or "wine cellar". Usually located on New York's street corners, they are renowned for their convivial culture and colorful character.
Why is it called Hell's Kitchen?
But the most common version traces it to the story of "Dutch Fred the Cop", a veteran policeman, who with his rookie partner, was watching a small riot on West 39th Street near Tenth Avenue. The rookie is supposed to have said, "This place is hell itself", to which Fred replied, "Hell's a mild climate.
Why do bodegas have cats?
Much like farm cats, library cats, and ship cats, a bodega cat is typically a mixed breed cat kept as a form of biological pest control to manage or prevent rodent infestations.
Does Chicago have bodegas?
An Ode to the Chicago Bodega. The Chicago bodega: the store you always pass by, but never notice... until it's midnight and you need toilet paper, booze, mixers, or condoms (or all of the above). Bodegas are like the ex you can't -- or won't -- quit.
What is a bodega boyfriend?
Specifically, we're talking about bodegueros, or your bodega guy. You know, the guy who seemingly works 24 hours/day. You've never seen him outside the bodega because it's like he's literally glued to the floor, keeping an eye on everything while yelling at some random through a Bluetooth headset.
What is a bodega called in the UK?
Corner shop is the most-used term in the UK, and corner store is about as common as convenience store in all parts of the U.S. that don't have a specialized name for it.
Do bodegas sell condoms?
You can BUY condoms at local shops, grocery stores, bodegas, drugstores, and online. NYC CONDOMS are FREE at participating stores, businesses, community organizations, and clinics.
What are some examples of bodega?
Recent Examples on the Web Officer Kennedy immediately directed one man to get a bag of chips and tape from a nearby bodega, and for two other men to help him lay the man on his back.
How are apothecary, bodega, and boutique related?
Apothecary, bodega, and boutique may not look very similar, but they are all related both in meaning and in origin. Each of these words can be traced back to a Latin word for “storehouse” ( apotheca ), and each one refers in English to a retail establishment of some sort. Although bodega initially meant “a storehouse for wine,” it now most commonly refers to a grocery store in an urban area, especially one that specializes in Hispanic groceries. Boutique has also taken on new meanings: its first sense in English (“a small retail store”) is still current, but it now may also denote “a small company that offers highly specialized products or services.” Of the three words, apothecary has changed the least; it has gone from referring solely to the person who sells drugs or medicines to also naming the store where such goods are sold.
What does "bodega" mean in Spanish?
Add a comment... Instagram. The word bodega is a Spanish word that literally translates to grocery store, storeroom, or wine cellar. The name is fitting since they sell a mishmash of items such as laundry detergent, ice cream, chips, and lottery tickets, to name a few.
Where did bodegas originate?
Bodegas originated in the 40's and 50's by Hispanic communities that wanted to bring a taste of home to New York. When they first started, most bodega owners were Puerto Rican, or Latin and Caribbean immigrants. Since 2010, about half of the owners are Yemeni American immigrants. They wanted to bring the feeling and functionality ...
What is a Bodega cat?
The cat serves as free rodent protection, hunting and scaring away any rats or mice that may be hiding behind the deli counter. Since many are a cash only business, make sure to have cash on hand, in case they don't accept credit cards.
Do bodegas accept credit cards?
Since many are a cash only business, make sure to have cash on hand, in case they don't accept credit cards. Bodegas are as diverse as the people who own them. If you go to a Mexican bodega, you may find Mexican candies and treats. Regional bodegas may also serve up freshly made deli food.
Where did the word "bodega" come from?
The word is from the Spanish la bodega — grocery store — and years ago, referred primarily to those found in Spanish speaking neighborhoods in the city, where the shops sprang up on streetcorners in residential neighborhoods, as opposed to the more established retailers along major avenues.
What is a bodegas in New York?
“New York City is basically the largest urban community in the world. Bodegas serve people who are used to that service in their native countries.”.
Why are bodegas not without detractors?
But because the bodegas have also been the targets of armed robberies and complaints about food choices, the stores are not without their detractors. In 2002 the city launched an initiative to install security cameras in many of the stores after 12 bodega owners were killed in stickups.
How much does a bodega charge for milk?
Mateo explained that bodegas have traditionally served a need in the inner city because where a large retailer will charge $5 for a gallon of milk, a bodega owner might charge $1.50 for a quart; someone who has an immediate need will go for the more convenient option several times a week.
Is the Bodegas a political initiative?
Politics, however, have found their way into bodegas as well. Mateo disagrees with what city health officials are trying to do. “It’s a political initiative, not a real initiative,” he says. “You’re not going to change the habits of people who are used to eating a certain kind of food.”.
What does "bodega" mean in Spanish?
Bodega is the Spanish word for "warehouse. ". When Spanish-speaking people began arriving in New York in large numbers during the first half of the 20th Century, they brought this word with them to describe small stores selling a variety of items including packaged food, beverages, cigarettes, newspapers, and candy.
What does Jake Dobkin mean by "bodega"?
(Courtesy Private Jake Dobkin Collection) But critically, when a New Yorker hears the word "bodega" he also pictures a specific style of store design. This includes red and yellow awnings ("cold cuts and cold beer"), a variety of window ads, and a small sign advertising the presence of an ATM in back.
Is deli a German word?
In bodegas with Muslim owners, beer is usually not sold, and instead you find a wider selection of non-alcoholic beverages. Deli is short for "delicatessen", which is a German word ( borrowed from France), meaning "delicacies.".
What Does Bodega Mean in New York Slang?
If you’re visiting New York and you hear someone say they’re running to the bodega, chances are, they’re not going to get a bottle of wine. What they mean is they’re going to a small grocery store.
Examples of How to Use Bodega
Bodega is a noun that references a particular type of store. When you say it, you’ll be using it to describe a certain location.
Wrap Up
Because New York is so diverse, you’ll hear a lot of unique words and phrases whenever you’re there. It can almost seem like the people around you are speaking a foreign language entirely.
