What You Might Not Know About Bodegas (Part One of Six My Love/Hate Relationship with New York Bodegas)

 

  Since Bodegas are so ubiquitous that some people in NYC do kinda take them for granted. I did a little bit of research and found out some interesting facts. While I will make some connections between my own frame of reference from what I know about Bodegas I have looked up a couple of Websites for you to reference if you want to learn even more. 

 

Let’s just start with the blatantly obvious; not all Corner stores are Bodegas nor not all Bodegas are on the corner of the street. Yeah I know quite the shocker. But you’d be surprised how many people have used the slang terminology loosely. So imagine my surprise when I went to the Website, Streeteasy.com and read an article written by Erika Riley. 

(See https://streeteasy.com/blog/what-is-a-bodega/#ib-toc-anchor-0. )

 

 

 

 

Here’s another interesting fact! Originally the word Bodega comes from Spain. “The name bodega originates from the Spanish word which can mean “storeroom,” “wine cellar,” or “grocery store.” It was during the Post World War II era when an influx of “Lantix”; (Via some South American and Caribbean Countries), Immigrants came to the Eastern Seaboard of North America. These newcomers to the United States wanted the same kind convenience that they had from their homelands. So some enterprising immigrants opened up these stores and bingo, bango, Bodegas were born! (See https://streeteasy.com/blog/what-is-a-bodega/)

 

Lots more people saw how convenient; (no pun intended), these stores were and became a New York Institution that has many 2nd, 3rd, etc generations of Immigrant store owners making our really delicious sandwiches. (O.k, also some really great gyros!)

 

Oh speaking of delicious food tuned in next week for Part 2: Top Ten Best Foods From Bodegas.

This Blog article will accompany a video shown on my YouTube Channel. Is this going to be a fun exercise in synergy or what!? Stay tuned!