New York City will welcome a pop-up “all free grocery store” on February 12th, where people can receive food without the need for membership cards, registration, or a checkout process with minimum spending requirements. The initiative, known as “The Polymarket,” is launched by the cryptocurrency prediction market platform Polymarket. The store is set to open on February 12th at noon and will operate until February 16th, offering free access to all New York City residents, generating high community and retail industry attention.
According to information released by the organizers, this pop-up physical store will provide various daily groceries and goods in a “no strings attached” distribution model. People can directly enter the store to get the items they need without having to become a member, download an app, or make a purchase. The company has signed a short-term lease for this project and completed the setup of the physical retail space, but the precise location has not been disclosed to the public as of now.
As reported by “TimeOut,” Polymarket was originally an online cryptocurrency prediction trading platform where users could bet on election results, economic data, and public issue trends. This time marks its first venture into offline retail and charity integration, combining brand marketing with the concept of food aid. The company stated that the store will maintain full restocking and basic supplies during the operation period, but has not clarified whether there will be limits on the number of people, individual claims, or crowd control measures.
In conjunction with the pop-up free grocery store initiative, Polymarket has also donated $1 million to the New York City Food Bank. The organization has confirmed the receipt of the donation and estimated that every $1 donated can help provide up to three meals to residents facing food insecurity.
Mayor Mamdani proposed during his recent election campaign the establishment of government-led affordable grocery outlets to supply food at near wholesale prices, aiming to lower the cost of living for residents. Supporters believe it could help reduce the cost of living, but some industry groups have raised concerns about the potential distortion of market mechanisms. Polymarket’s “directly free” model in this instance is seen as a bold response to public discourse.
Previously, another prediction trading platform, Kalshi, held a limited-time event at a supermarket in the East Village earlier this month, distributing $50 worth of free grocery vouchers to customers, leading to long queues and sparking discussions on social media. Market observers point out that prediction trading and cryptocurrency platforms are enhancing their brand exposure and social influence through high-profile events related to daily life themes.
However, Polymarket has not yet announced specific plans to address potential queues, inventory pressures, and on-site order issues at the free grocery store. The organizers have only stated that more details will be released before the opening. Based on the recent experiences of similar free distribution events, a significant turnout of people and attention is expected on-site.