The Office of Council Member Gale Brewer and civic technology organization BetaNYC have partnered to create an interactive map that identifies and pinpoints “dark stores” proliferating across New York City. The microfulfillment centers, associated with venture capital-backed rapid-delivery grocery apps, have been springing up in commercial corridors of major cities across the globe, flouting local rules and regulations.
All businesses operating in New York City should be accountable to the same rules and this project aims to increase transparency around the rapidly expanding industry.
| Boro | Zoned for 16D: Warehouses | Commercial-6A: Convenience Retail or Service Establishment | No related use | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronx | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Brooklyn | 7 | 33 | 2 | 0 | 42 |
| Manhattan | 10 | 34 | 3 | 1 | 48 |
| Queens | 5 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 17 |
| Staten Island | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 115 |
Data Sources:
– NYC Department of City Planning: PLUTO 21v4 (December 2021)
– NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets: Retail Food Stores, Last updated Feb 2, 2022
– Data from the community; Add or edit locations on the map
Press
November 9, 2021 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/09/nyregion/online-grocery-delivery-nyc.html
November 23, 2021 https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2021/11/22/grocery-delivery-apps-gorillas-new-york-city-bodegas-delis/
December 3, 2021 https://bushwickdaily.com/news/bodega-leaders-push-back-against-quick-grocery-delivery-dark-stores/
December 6, 2021 https://www.amny.com/news/doordash-launches-nyc-grocery-delivery/
December 6, 2021 https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/06/business/doordash-15-minute-delivery/index.html
December 7, 2021 https://patch.com/new-york/west-village/3-dark-stores-are-illegally-operating-along-14th-street-brewer
December 7, 2021 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-07/what-instant-delivery-services-could-do-to-cities
December 8, 2021 https://www.brownstoner.com/brooklyn-life/grocery-delivery-apps-city-assistance-for-bodega-owners/
December 8, 2021 https://thehill.com/changing-america/sustainability/infrastructure/584994-how-dark-stores-are-taking-over-american
December 9, 2021 https://patch.com/new-york/astoria-long-island-city/instant-grocer-opens-astoria-amid-fight-manhattan-sites
December 9, 2021 https://patch.com/new-york/midtown-nyc/hells-kitchen-dark-store-open-illegally-boro-prez-says
December 10, 2021 https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/10/business/downtown-full-delivery-warehouses-dark-stores-are-coming-boston/
December 20, 2021 https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2021/12/will-15-minute-delivery-do-bodegas-what-ride-hailing-apps-did-taxi-industry/360006/