In the past few months, Councilwoman Maria Baez has raked in a significant amount of cash from local supermarkets in support of her reelection campaign in the 14th District. According to the Campaign Finance Board, Baez has garnered $3,375 from a variety of local supermarkets in the Bronx, $2,000 of which she received the day before she had a press conference voicing her support of small supermarkets opposing the proposed big-box supermarket at the Kingsbridge Armory.

“That press conference was about individuals losing jobs in the community,” Baez said. The monetary contributions from local supermarkets “had absolutely no influence” on her decision to hold a press conference, Baez said, adding, “I reach out to anyone and everyone in the community.”

Baez focused on the potential loss of jobs at her press conference outside of a C-Town in Fordham on Aug. 11. She said that if the developer, The Related Companies, builds a big-box supermarket in the Armory, thousands of local jobs will be lost.

Jose Frias, the owner of the C-Town agreed. “My tax money should not be used to put me out of business, and my 80 employees out of work,” he said.  

Although Baez’s press conference was at a C-Town, the main opponent to the Armory supermarket is Morton Williams supermarket. Since one of Morton Williams’ main stores is situated directly across from the Armory, the company is banking on key political figures such as Baez to help save their business.

Avi Kaner, an owner of Morton Williams, donated $250 to Baez’s campaign. “Maria has been very supportive of the local business people, including us,” Kaner said. 

The entire Bronx Council delegation is behind Baez in this cause, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. also opposes the big box market. Diaz is slated to publicly state his support or opposition of the entire redevelopment process by Sept. 8. (See cover story.)