A Spanish word with many meanings that, in New York, specifically refers to a corner grocery store that sells simple food and household items, as well as (in El Barrio) drug paraphernalia.
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The timeline below shows where the term Bodega appears in In Search of Respect. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 4: "Goin Legit": Disrespect and Resistance at Work
...although his chances of overcoming this are even lower than Primo’s. Once, Ray buys a bodega to launder his money and contracts Primo and Caesar to work there. They are thrilled...
(full context)
Epilogue
...Two storefronts and two teenage crews are still selling crack. A “well-run and completely legal bodega” has also opened, and an old abandoned building turned into public housing, but another building...
(full context)