A “free” grocery store that opened in New York City‘s West Village a week ago has already closed its doors.
The news media says the free grocery store was a “marketing stunt” by cryptocurrency betting platform Polymarket.
A sign declaring “New York’s First Free Grocery Store” was prominent inside and “Polymarket” was emblazoned in white letters on blue bags given to shoppers.
The grocery store even offered free flowers for Valentine’s Day.
The Polymarket grocery store opened on February 12 to much fanfare. Videos showed a long line of shoppers queued around the block.
Shoppers could grab whatever they wanted – as long as the groceries and household essentials fit inside the small blue bags they were given.
Shoppers walked in, filled their bags and walked out without paying.
On Wednesday, a new TikTok video showed an empty store. There are no groceries inside.
A worker told an X/Twitter user to film outside, not inside.
The X user who uploaded the video captioned it: “Where’s everyone, almost like it was Staged. Good luck New York.”
Another X user wrote: “Am I the only one who thinks opening a free grocery store in NYC for a 5-day publicity stunt is a horrible idea?”
Am I the only one who thinks opening a free grocery store in NYC for a 5-day publicity stunt is a horrible idea? ? pic.twitter.com/xYeVy68SIO
— Freedom Enthusiast ?? (@ThoughtCrimes80) February 13, 2026
Townhall.com claimed the free grocery store is a “slap in the face” to the new mayor, Zohran Mamdani.
Mamdani campaigned on promises to open free city-run grocery stores in each borough. But so far, none have opened.
New Yorkers wonder if Polymarket can open a free grocery store, why can’t the city open even one store?
NYC gets its free grocery store. Look at the line.
Why would they put it in the West Village one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city pic.twitter.com/ZT1iUTvvUL— Tracy (@beekmanplace78) February 12, 2026
