01 / OWNERS & SUPPLIERS
Meet the people behind the stores
Compare notes with fellow operators. Talk with prospective suppliers about products, pricing, delivery and the service your stores need.
FIVE BOROUGHS. ONE ROOM.
Behind every
corner store,
there’s a connection.
New York’s bodega owners, operators and business partners, together for an evening of introductions, practical advice and new opportunities.
Presented by The BARS Program
PLANNED VENUEMarquee · New York City
THE NEW PLANDecember Moving to May
BUILT FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
MARQUEE NEW YORK / TAO GROUP HOSPITALITY
MANHATTAN✳BROOKLYN✳QUEENS✳THE BRONX✳STATEN ISLAND
THE GATHERING
Your next connection
could change
your business.
You run the store. Make room for what comes next.
Bodega Connect brings the people behind neighborhood retail into the same room. Whether you run one store or a growing group, come to compare experiences, explore supplier relationships and learn where to turn for business support.
Bodega owners & ownership groups Vendors & business service providers Public-sector & community resources
THE PROGRAM
An evening with
a business purpose.
Owner connections. Supplier introductions.
Practical support for your next step.
02 / BUSINESS RESOURCES
Understand your options for support
We’re inviting business-support organizations and public-sector representatives to explain financing, incentives, lease assistance and application next steps.
03 / THE BARS PROGRAM
Bring your ID-check questions
Meet The BARS Program team for a discussion about independent compliance visits, consistent carding practices and support for single-store and multi-store operations.
04 / OPEN NETWORKING
Leave with someone to follow up with
Continue the conversations that matter to your business. Exchange details, ask another question and make a plan to reconnect.
Program outline; timing and speakers will be announced. Government representatives and participating vendors are not yet confirmed.
RESPONSIBLE RETAIL STARTS AT THE COUNTER
How does your team
handle the ID check?
The BARS Program helps retailers evaluate age-verification practices through independent compliance visits. Meet the team, learn how visits work and discuss what a program could look like across your stores.
Get to know The BARS ProgramOFFICIAL NYC BUSINESS RESOURCES
A useful place
to start today.
Explore these services directly with NYC
Small Business Services before the event.
CAPITAL
Know your financing options.
Explore loan and grant resources through NYC Funds Finder, plus free help from SBS preparing your financing application.
Explore financing assistance01BUSINESS SAVINGS
See which benefits fit your store.
Get a free SBS consultation to identify city, state and federal incentives that may help reduce operating expenses.
Find business incentives02YOUR LEASE
Get help with your next lease.
Eligible NYC businesses can access free legal help to sign, renew or address issues with a commercial lease.
Explore lease assistance03LICENSES & PERMITS
Make sense of the city’s rules.
Connect with NYC BEST for guidance navigating city and state agencies, permits and business requirements.
Connect with NYC BEST04Program eligibility, availability and application requirements vary. Funding is not guaranteed. These links are provided for convenience; government agencies are not event sponsors or endorsers. Resources checked September 2026.
THE SETTING
A different room.
A shared ambition.
Marquee in Chelsea is the proposed setting for Bodega Connect NYC. We’re shaping an evening around owner introductions, business conversations and time to connect. The venue booking and May date are being finalized.
289 10th Avenue
New York, NY 10001
Moving to May. The exact date, hours and entry requirements will be shared once finalized.
LET’S MAKE CONNECTIONS
Be part of
what’s next.
Join the interest list and we’ll share the confirmed date and registration details. Interested in exhibiting, sponsoring or contributing to the program? Choose your role in the form so we can follow up.
BODEGA CONNECT NYC
Let’s stay connected.
A few details now. Your invitation details when they’re ready.
BEFORE YOU JOIN
A few details.
Who is this for?
NYC bodega and neighborhood-store owners, operators and ownership groups, alongside vendors, service providers and community business-support partners.
Is the May date confirmed?
Not yet. The event is moving from December to May. The exact day, year, hours and venue booking will be announced together once finalized.
Does joining the list reserve a ticket?
Joining records your interest and lets the event team contact you. It does not reserve admission. Ticket availability, pricing and entry requirements will be shared with the confirmed event details.
Can my organization sponsor or participate?
Yes—register your interest as a sponsor, vendor or community partner. The event team will follow up to discuss fit, availability and participation details.