Carrying on the Family Tradition
For Kel Murphy, the story of bodegas runs deep in his veins. His grandfather first opened a bodega after immigrating to New York from Puerto Rico, and his parents met working in his uncle’s bodega after arriving from the Dominican Republic. Kel himself has worked in bodegas since he was a child, and for the past 13 years, he’s been in the beverage industry, selling to bodegas across the city.
This lifelong connection to the bodega way of life has imbued Kel with a deep appreciation for these neighborhood institutions and the entrepreneurial spirit that sustains them. “My family’s history with bodegas goes way deeper,” he explains. “My grandfather when he came here from Puerto Rico opened up a bodega here in New York. All my aunts, uncles, my mom worked in it. My dad came here from the Dominican Republic in the 80s, his first job was in his brother’s bodega. My mom and dad met in a bodega and I have worked in my dad’s bodega since I was a little kid.”
This rich personal history has shaped Kel’s perspective and fueled his passion for honoring the bodega legacy. As he’s embarked on his own entrepreneurial journey, including working on a documentary that celebrates the cultural significance of bodegas, Kel has remained steadfast in his commitment to uplifting these community cornerstones.
Connecting with Budega NYC
Kel’s deep-rooted connection to the bodega world is what first drew him to Budega NYC, a brand that has made it its mission to celebrate the culture and spirit of these beloved neighborhood institutions. As Kel explains, he was already familiar with Budega NYC’s co-founder, Louis Colon, having crossed paths with him in the past through their shared experiences in the New York City nightlife scene.
“I’ve known you for a minute,” Kel tells Lou. “I think back in the day when you was just doing the sneaker thing when I was working in Kinfolk. I think you might have been at Fila. I connected you with the good people at Kinfolk. I think you guys did an amazing collab, right? A sneaker if I’m not mistaken.”
But it was Budega NYC’s unique approach to honoring bodegas that truly piqued Kel’s interest. “I noticed Alex just posting with the name Budega NYC. And I thought it was just super dope the connection of how he brought a New York City landmark and connected it with cannabis, right? And I thought it was fire.”
Kel’s admiration for Budega NYC also help contribute to the brand’s viral success, with his appearance on “Subway Takes” video racking up millions of views across social media. “Louis and Alex woke up one day with everyone tagging and inboxing Budega NYC. They were like, wait a minute, that’s our guy rocking the shirt heavy. Let’s talk about it.”
This serendipitous connection between Kel and Budega NYC set the stage for a natural collaboration, with Kel fronting the brand’s La Bodega Collection – a line of apparel and accessories that pays homage to the iconic bodega culture that has shaped both of their lives.
View this post on Instagram
The La Bodega Collection
The La Bodega Collection represents a culmination of Kel’s lifelong connection to bodegas and Budega NYC’s commitment to celebrating these community hubs. As Kel explains, the collection is a way to “honor the Bodega legacy” and shine a light on the entrepreneurial spirit that has sustained these businesses for generations.
At the heart of the La Bodega Collection is a deep appreciation for the role that bodegas have played in shaping the fabric of New York City neighborhoods. As Kel notes, these small businesses are more than just places to grab a quick snack or a cup of coffee – they are the beating heart of their communities, providing not just essential goods and services, but a sense of belonging and connection.
The collection’s design elements reflect this ethos, drawing inspiration from the vibrant, eclectic aesthetic that has come to define the bodega experience. From the bold, eye-catching graphics to the use of classic bodega staples like the “Bodega Cat” motif, every aspect of the La Bodega Collection is imbued with a sense of authenticity and homage to the bodega legacy.
The Bodega Documentary
Kel’s passion for honoring the bodega legacy extends beyond the La Bodega Collection. For the past few years, he’s been working on a documentary that delves deeper into the cultural significance of these neighborhood institutions, exploring their history, their impact, and the stories of the people who have dedicated their lives to keeping them alive.
As Kel explains, the documentary is a labor of love, a way for him to share the rich tapestry of experiences that have shaped his own life and the lives of countless others who have grown up in the shadow of the bodega.
The documentary, which is still a work in progress, has already generated significant buzz, with Kel and his team using a 10-minute teaser to generate interest and secure additional support. The goal, Kel says, is to capture the full breadth of the bodega experience, from the personal stories of the owners and operators to the broader cultural and economic impact of these small businesses.
And Kel is eager to involve the community in this project, inviting anyone with a connection to the bodega world to share their stories and lend their voices to the documentary. “Anybody seeing this and wants to get down, hit me up,” he says. “We need as many voices as possible telling our story.”
The Enduring Legacy of the Bodega
As Kel’s story and the Budega NYC collaboration demonstrate, the bodega is more than just a corner store – it’s a living, breathing embodiment of the entrepreneurial spirit that has long defined the immigrant experience in New York City.
-
Bodegas have served as a gateway to the American dream for generations of immigrants, providing a path to economic independence and a sense of community in a new and often unfamiliar environment.
-
These small businesses have also played a vital role in shaping the cultural fabric of their neighborhoods, serving as hubs for social interaction, information sharing, and the preservation of cultural traditions.
-
Beyond their economic and cultural significance, bodegas have also become symbols of resilience and perseverance, weathering the challenges of gentrification, corporate competition, and the ever-changing landscape of urban life.
It’s this enduring legacy that Kel and Budega NYC are seeking to honor and preserve through their collaborative efforts. By shining a light on the stories of bodega owners and operators, and by investing in the continued success of these small businesses, they are working to ensure that the bodega way of life can continue to thrive for generations to come.
As Kel puts it, “We need as many voices as possible telling our story.” And through the La Bodega Collection and the forthcoming documentary, he and Budega NYC are doing just that – amplifying the voices of the bodega community and celebrating the rich tapestry of experiences that have made these neighborhood institutions such an integral part of the New York City landscape.
