Where else in USA is the "Bodega" a common sight (low income, loan)
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Where else in the USA is the "Bodega" a common sight? In NYC, every block, every corner will have one, or at least 7 out of 10 will have at least one. Some have more.
For what is a Bodega? I am not sure how to describe it. I guess, it is what Seven Eleven must have started out as. It is basically a small store that sells snacks like chips and candy, and bottled drinks like nestle, coke, sprite, juices, sometimes alcohol. They almost all sell cigarettes, and lottery. Which are probably the biggest money maker. Often they will have the deli counter, and make you sandwiches, but most places dont look that clean or great, and most people wont buy their sandwiches. I dont know why they persist and have them though in the store when it makes them no money. But some places do look nice and clean, and people will buy their sandwiches.
It has a spanish name, and I guess because much of the hispanic population will frequent these stores here in NYC, but so does everyone else. I have noticed many are run by people with middle eastern descent. In the 90s it seemed many in Manhattan were owned by korean, and that is where I believe we get that korean grocer stereotype from. But it seems they have largely left that business model behind, and the middle eastern descent persons have taken over that industry in NYC.
So I ask where else is this common sight. I have been to Philly, and I will see one here and there, but not too much. Philly does not have that much high density housing. The Jersey Burbs of NYC nor Long Island have bodegas really. They have supermarkets instead.
We have 'em in Jersey City. Newark has more than a few. Any urban city in the region, really.
What you'll find is they're only called bodegas in the NYC area. In Boston they're called packies and they're probably just called corner stores in most other places. Almost all cities have them (some more than others). I'd be interested to see if there's any new vocabulary to learn (different regional names for them).
Bodega is pretty much a euphemism for calling it a liquor store / convenience store which is what they are, but they want to avoid the association of being a seedy / low income / low sophistication joint that the latter store labels evoke.
It would be similar to calling a payday loan store a "financial assistance center." Euphemisms can do wonders to a community's perception of these types of commercial services.
I've not been to New York so forgive me if this is obvious to someone who has. What exactly is the difference between a bodega and a convenience store that doesn't sell gas?
Wow we all live in the same nation, but our language is definitely not the same. I have never heard of a "bodega" or a "packie". This must be regional.
bodega is the spanish name for a convenience mom and pop store, I was extremely glad NYC still had plenty of them with their own identities, each bodega felt unique, like it has its own story to tell
in many other americans cities they don't exist and you just go to target or walmart or whatever which is very gross in a way
Where else in the USA is the "Bodega" a common sight? In NYC, every block, every corner will have one, or at least 7 out of 10 will have at least one. Some have more.
For what is a Bodega? I am not sure how to describe it. I guess, it is what Seven Eleven must have started out as. It is basically a small store that sells snacks like chips and candy, and bottled drinks like nestle, coke, sprite, juices, sometimes alcohol. They almost all sell cigarettes, and lottery. Which are probably the biggest money maker. Often they will have the deli counter, and make you sandwiches, but most places dont look that clean or great, and most people wont buy their sandwiches. I dont know why they persist and have them though in the store when it makes them no money. But some places do look nice and clean, and people will buy their sandwiches.
It has a spanish name, and I guess because much of the hispanic population will frequent these stores here in NYC, but so does everyone else. I have noticed many are run by people with middle eastern descent. In the 90s it seemed many in Manhattan were owned by korean, and that is where I believe we get that korean grocer stereotype from. But it seems they have largely left that business model behind, and the middle eastern descent persons have taken over that industry in NYC.
So I ask where else is this common sight. I have been to Philly, and I will see one here and there, but not too much. Philly does not have that much high density housing. The Jersey Burbs of NYC nor Long Island have bodegas really. They have supermarkets instead.
Based off of your description, you have never been to Philly. Philly has plenty of high density housing (Philly is arguably the 2nd most urban city in the U.S.). Philadelphia is number 2 after NYC when it comes to the most bodegas/papi stores/corner stores or whatever you want to call them and in many parts of Philly, you can find one or more bodegas/stores located on every corner and they are usually operated by the same demographics (Puerto Ricans and Dominicans) that you will find in NYC. However, there are not many middle eastern operated stores like you will find in NYC.
We have 'em in Jersey City. Newark has more than a few. Any urban city in the region, really.
What you'll find is they're only called bodegas in the NYC area. In Boston they're called packies and they're probably just called corner stores in most other places. Almost all cities have them (some more than others). I'd be interested to see if there's any new vocabulary to learn (different regional names for them).
^This and it may be a matter of who tends to own such stores, as well as the demographics of the neighborhood.
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