Japan has its convenience stores, Paris has its tabacs, India has kirana stores and NYC has its cherished bodegas (read: bodega cats). There are 7,000 bodegas in NYC based on the official data from the city's Health Department. However, other sources put this number even higher, at 13,000. Safe to say, these neighborhood shops can be found every couple of blocks in the bustling city.
Originally, these all-in-one convenience stores were opened in the early 1900s by Spanish and Cuban immigrants, according to Carlos Sanabria, author of the book The Bodega: A Cornerstone of Puerto Rican Barrios.
After the island became a part of the US in 1917, Puerto Ricans began migrating to NYC in large numbers. And to make a living, they took ownership of small stores, where they sold hard-to-find foods from home like papaya, plantains, dried codfish, chorizo sausages, spices, among others.
Even though many grocery stores are owned by Italians, Jews, Germans, and other immigrants, these small corner shops are closely linked with the Puerto Rican community in particular.
In recent decades, many bodegas have made changes according to the shift in the city's social and demographic trends. The New York City Department of Health defines a bodega, a name originating from the Spanish word for "storeroom" or "wine cellar," as "any store under 300 sq m that sells milk, meat, or eggs but is not a specialty store (bakery, butcher, chocolate shop, etc.) and doesn't have more than two cash registers."
But ask a New Yorker, and they'll paint a more vibrant picture of what truly defines a bodega. The bodega cats! Adding a touch of home to the aisles of canned goods and lottery tickets, these felines are considered to be “working cats” who are responsible for chasing away rats and mice from the store.
Based on a recent estimate, there are as many as 3 million rats in NYC currently. Unfortunately, all the rice, snacks, and other foods attract rodents to the bodega stores. It’s crucial to have effective rodent control as rats can spread disease. As per NYC Department of Health, leptospirosis can be caused by the urine of infected rats.
Some methods that help control the rat population are traps and poisons. However, many bodega owners turn to a less toxic option, a more adorable one: the bodega cat. With their keen senses and natural hunting instincts, these feline creatures keep rats at bay.
And while cats may assist in controlling rodent populations, they are also known for their sociable nature with their human companions. In fact, many bodega cats are known for their friendly demeanor. But it's important you approach them with respect and consideration.
For instance, give them their space and don’t disturb them when they are napping or relaxing in a quiet corner at the store. And if they seem open to it, feel free to offer them a scratch behind the ears or a gentle pet.
