Announcing Our 1st Round Longevity Fund Grantees
We started Welcome to Chinatown five months ago as two residents who hoped to raised $10,000 for our neighborhood, quickly realizing how much more there was that needed to be done to help Chinatown get back on its feet and how we could contribute to revitalize the neighborhood in the face of COVID-19.
After winding down our Feed Our Heroes initiative and as things started to open back up in the neighborhood, it became even more apparent just how dire the situation was in Chinatown, seeing more ‘For Rent’ signs going up, and realizing that Chinatown small businesses were left behind from many of the public and private loan and grant programs available for COVID-19 relief. This is why we created The Longevity Fund, the only grant program available created exclusively for Manhattan Chinatown’s small businesses.
We set an ambitious goal of fundraising $200,000 to distribute as $5,000 grants across 40 small businesses in Chinatown to help relieve the burden of overhead costs accumulated during COVID-19 closures. With your support, we were able to fundraise $50,000 for our first round of grantees — 10 Chinatown businesses who have contributed to the cultural makeup and well-being of the neighborhood.
We are still fundraising to reach our full $200,000 and award 30 more local businesses — help us reach our fundraising goal by donating here! And if you’re a Chinatown business, Round 2 applications are now open, and you can apply here.
Our judging panel, which is comprised of Chinatown community members and advocates across multiple generations, evaluated businesses based on various factors, including how they have supported or contributed to Chinatown since opening, involvement within the community, at-risk levels of impact from COVID-19 and what communities or customers they serve with their establishments.
We are excited to announce our first 10 grantees!
Ewa Trading Co. (Yelp)
Business Type: Health Markets/Traditional Chinese Medicine
About: Ewa Trading Co. has been open since 1970. They specialize in Chinese Herbal medicine catered to an individual's prescription which you will receive after having an appointed session with the Herbalist. Many of its customers are from the Chinatown community who are 40 and up, and are elderly. These customers look to traditional Chinese medicine to maintain their health, and the owners’ hope is to continue operations to help improve the health of its longtime customers.
Go Believe Bakery (Instagram)
Business Type: Bakery
About: After starting out his career as a pastry chef in Chinatown, Shu Cheung Lai took a brief break to venture into the restaurant business before coming back to his roots to open Go Believe Bakery. Go Believe Bakery is a Chinese Bakery based in Chinatown NYC, serving dim sum, rice rolls, congee to all of your favorite bakery staples-- bo lo bao (pineapple buns), char shiu bao and more.
Photo courtesy of Aaron Reiss / The Atlantic
Grand Tea & Imports (Website, Instagram, Facebook)
Business Type: Specialty Tea Store, Religious Items
About: After immigrating from Canton, Mr. Liu (though Chinatown residents like to call him Teafucius) opened the cultural goods emporium to help his Chinatown community and his two Chinese-American daughters better connect with China's great traditions. With over a decade of experience sourcing Chinese cultural goods, this small family shop has grown to house one of New York's widest selection of fine tea leaves and tea wares, Buddhist art and supplies and traditional gifts. For a glimpse of Chinatown's traditions, take a walk through the aisles packed with scented incenses, handmade altars, and paper worship supplies. Visitors can also sample teas sourced from all corners of Asia.
Photo courtesy of Chang W. Lee / The New York Times
Hop Kee Restaurant (Website)
Business Type: Restaurant
About: One of Chinatown’s oldest restaurants, founded in 1968, Hop Kee is a quintessential staple for authentic Cantonese cuisine. From the moment you descend into their basement level restaurant, you are transported to an almost retro-looking space where pictures of celebrities like Conan O Brien, Anthony Bourdain and more, decorate the walls. Each of the servers have been here for years.
Imperial Ballroom Dance Studio (Website, Facebook)
Business Type: Dance Studio
About: The Imperial Ballroom Dance Studio was founded in 1995. As the original owners and instructors, Ming and Irene have enjoyed 25 years of outstanding classes and satisfied students. Imperial Ballroom is more than just a studio, it also serves as a community hub for all members of the Chinatown community from all walks of life. Many members of the community have been religiously dancing here since its inception 25 years ago, even now as senior citizens. For over two decades, Ming and Irene have spent their holidays with our extended Imperial Ballroom family and community members and have provided a space for all dancers to share their passion.
K. K. Discount Store (Website, Instagram)
Business Type: Retail Store
About: Mr. And Mrs. Li immigrated to the U.S. in 1978 with only a few dollars in their pocket. With every penny they saved, KK Discount Store was born. Most people know KK Discount Store as the mom-and-pop version of Target. You come in for one thing and come out with a shopping bag full of random goods! From restaurant quality chef knives to cast iron Japanese tea sets - they’ve got you covered.
Physio Rehab (Website)
Business Type: Physical Therapy Clinic
About: As one of the first physical therapy clinics to open in Chinatown NYC, Physio Rehab has been providing the Chinatown community with its rehabilitation services for nearly 30 years. Whether recovering from accidents or a surgery, Physio Rehab’s patient demographic includes a majority of senior Chinese immigrants residing in Chinatown and first-generation Chinese children. Physio Rehab prides itself on serving the largely Chinese-speaking population and providing the best care for recovery they can offer.
Season Natural Food Inc (Yelp)
Business Type: Grocery Store
About: Season Natural Food is more than just you run on the mill grocery store in Chinatown NYC, but rather it’s a lively community hub where individuals from all walks of life can gather to discuss the little mundane parts of their lives from recipes they are making to what it was like to live like a living wage in NYC to support their families. Jin Xian Wu, co-owner of Season Natural Food, prides themselves on creating strong bonds with the neighborhood, checking up on individuals especially during a time like this. They believe that it's these little conversations that make people happier and bring together the community during an uncertain time.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Xiao
Tonii's Fresh Rice Noodle (Instagram)
Business Type: Restaurant
About: Tonii’s is a family owned and operated bakery, from the same Kam Hing family, on Bayard Street. They serve individuals from all parts of the community, both young and old. Tonii’s specializes in their delicious, homemade rice noodles that are made fresh to order, but their best selling sponge cakes also deserve a special shout out as well. Once you walk into Tonii’s you will be welcomed by the cozy, family-like atmosphere that is enjoyed equally by both the first and second generation Chinatown residents.
Wah Yeung (Yelp)
Business Type: Antiques/Home Decor
About: Wah Yeung is a hidden antique store gem nestled amongst the bustling restaurants of Chinatown. A once commonplace Chinatown staple, Asian-inspired antique and home decor stores are becoming more difficult to come by. Wah Yeung aims to provide the Chinatown community with the finest antiques and home decor, ranging from architectural panels to religious sculptures needed for your Buddhist altar.
We will be spotlighting our grantees over the coming weeks, follow along to learn more about these businesses and their contributions to Chinatown.
Welcome to Chinatown and The Longevity Fund would not exist without the outpouring of support for our neighborhood. Chinatown has always been a place for everyone, and we are grateful for your continued support and contributions. We still have ways to go to meet our full fundraising goal of $200,000 and hope you’ll join us in our mission to raise the remaining funds toward our grant program. We deeply appreciate any contributions you can make or sharing our cause with your own networks!
