Longevity Fund Recipients: Business Spotlights

Chinatown will always be open for business.

TingsWelcome to Chinatown

About the Longevity Fund

The Longevity Fund is a relief and training program that prioritizes the most at-risk businesses based on cultural and socioeconomic barriers. It is vital that we ensure Chinatown - its community and legacy - will be here for future generations from all walks to life to enjoy.

Hop Kee Restaurant with Peter Lee (2021-10-07) by Steven YenWelcome to Chinatown

Hop Kee

Open since 1968, Hop Kee is one of the oldest restaurants in Chinatown and serves up traditional Chinese Cantonese style comfort food late into the night in a no-frills, basement location on a historic corner of Mott Street. 

ImperialWelcome to Chinatown

Imperial Ballroom

Ming and Irene are the proud owners of Imperial Ballroom Dance Studio, which has brought the Chinatown community together since 1995. As Chinese immigrants from Vietnam and Malaysia, the duo fell in love because of their shared passion for dance &started our business together.

K&E Fine Jewelry (2021-04-26) by Fuxuan XinWelcome to Chinatown

K & E Fine Jewelry

K & E Fine Jewelry offers a wide variety of fine jewelry, including custom pieces, and in-house repairs. The custom jewelry he & his wife Eva designed have become family heirlooms for adoring clients who love their jewelry creations, service and affordable prices.

Happy Garden Palace Noodles (2021-03-11) by Fuxuan XinWelcome to Chinatown

Happy Garden Palace

Happy Garden Palace, opened by Dian Lin in 2008 is located on one of the busiest streets in NYC’s Chinatown. Their expansive menu offers both traditional Chinese cuisine and American Chinese food that tourists and native New Yorkers will love.

Pasteur Grill and Noodles with Dennis (2021-11-16) by Fuxuan XinWelcome to Chinatown

Pasteur Grill and Noodles

After escaping the Vietnam War by boat, Dennis Chung came to New York with his family at the age of 21 to start a new life. In 1995, Mr. Chung purchased Pasteur Grill and Noodles (originally founded in 1987 as “Pasteur”) to showcase the cuisine from his childhood. 

Sam Wai Liquor Portrait (2021-03-11) by Fuxuan XinWelcome to Chinatown

Sam Wai Liquor

Located a block away from the Manhattan Bridge, Sam Wai Liquor is the oldest liquor store in Chinatown with a liquor license going back 120 years. Alex Chin and his wife purchased the business in 1997 from the previous owner who wished to retire.

Wai Wah Market exterior (2021-06-01) by Fuxuan XinWelcome to Chinatown

Wai Wah Market

Wai Wah Market, a small grocery store that provides fresh produce, dry goods, & unique Asian snacks to the Chinatown community. Guan Mei & his wife opened the original Wai Wah Market in 1999 after noticing that the Guangdong community didn’t have many options for their needs.

Kelly Hair Salon Styling (2021-05-10) by Fuxuan XinWelcome to Chinatown

Kelly Hair Salon

Kelly Hair Salon is located in the oldest section of Chinatown on the corner of Pell Street and Doyers Street. Owner and hairstylist Kwok Wing Yau grew up in Hong Kong and has been cutting hair since he was a teenager. The salon has become a Chinatown staple.

Long Jin Trading (2021-04-29) by Fuxuan XinWelcome to Chinatown

Long Jin Trading

Nestled underneath the tracks of the Manhattan Bridge is the East Broadway Mall, home to businesses that have been a Chinatown staple for generations. Here you will find Long Jin Trading, a modest tea shop owned and run by Jinhui Deng for nearly a decade.

K.K. Discount with the Li Family (2020-10-07) by Steven YenWelcome to Chinatown

K.K. Discount

K.K. Discount, opened for 30+ years, has truly been a family-operated business since the beginning. Their children’s afterschool/summer program was to help out at the store. Now their toddler granddaughter joins in on the family business and is amazing at greeting customers.

Ben Meat Market (2021-01-18) by Fuxuan XinWelcome to Chinatown

Ben Meat Market

Alice, the manager of Ben Meat Market, opened the store with her husband, George, in 1995. For the past 25 years, Ben Meat Market has been serving juicy roast meat and supplying pantry staples to the Chinatown community from its storefront at 288 Grand Street. 

Albert Lam Bespoke (2021-01-17) by Fuxuan XinWelcome to Chinatown

Albert Lam Bespoke

In 1978, Albert and his wife opened their custom suit and tailoring shop, Albert Lam Bespoke, on Lafayette Street. Since then, they have served generations of local Chinatown residents and earned a national reputation for expertly-crafted suits. 

Alisons Pharmacy (Interior) (2021-02-13) by Fuxuan XinWelcome to Chinatown

Alisons Pharmacy

Ken emigrated from Hong Kong when he was 10 years old and grew up in Chinatown, where he has been a pharmacy owner for 36 years. Alisons Pharmacy opened its doors in 1994 and continues to provide safe and helpful services to the community.

Shuang Wen Academy Network with Nancy (2021-01-17) by Fuxuan XinWelcome to Chinatown

Shuang Wen Academy Network

SWAN is an educational nonprofit that has been teaching Chinese language and culture for the last 24 years. Their team of passionate educators strive to teach our next generation’s leaders all there is to know and love about Chinese culture and language.

Shakya Trading (Interior) (2021-01-17) by Steven YenWelcome to Chinatown

Shakya Trading

Sagar Shakya has been the owner of Shakya Trading for three generations. His family has painstakingly created handmade Buddhist statues, including all statues in his retail store and online shop. They sell a variety of Buddhist cultural and religious goods, jewelry, and gifts.

Season Spa Facial (2021-06-01) by Fuxuan XinWelcome to Chinatown

Season Spa

Whether you're looking for a facial, manicure, waxing, massage, or body treatments, Season Spa's staff makes sure you leave feeling and looking your best. Featured in Time Out New York and the New York Post, customers love their clean, individual rooms and expert services.

Silk Road Cafe Coffee (2021-02-13) by Fuxuan XinWelcome to Chinatown

Silk Road Cafe

Silk Road Café offers a variety of teas, bubble teas, and gourmet coffee along with pastries, light bites, and desserts. Owner Terry Zhuang started as an employee and bought the business in 2013 when the owner decided to retire.

The little one with Eddie and Olivia (2021-06-01) by Fuxuan XinWelcome to Chinatown

The Little One

The Little One makes high quality, Japanese-inspired shaved ice and desserts. After leaving their jobs to attend the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) & stints at top restaurants, Eddie Zheng & his wife, Olivia Leung, opened the shop in 2017 on the street where they grew up.

Heng Yun Grocery Store (Interior) (2021-03-11) by Fuxuan XinWelcome to Chinatown

Heng Yun Groceries

Heng Yun Groceries is a small convenience store that sells Chinese and American grocery items and household goods. During her 10+ years of working at the store, manager Yiyan Zhou has developed close relationships with many repeat customers who live in Chinatown. 

Credits: Story

Photographers: Derick Marquez, Slim Cinema, Fuxuan Xin, Steven Yen
Writers: Nicole Lam, Felix Li, Alice Huang

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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