Business Spotlight: Kelly Hair Salon
Kwok Wing Yau, owner of Kelly Hair Salon
Kelly Hair Salon
19 Pell Street A
(212) 732-7688
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 staple of the Chinatown community, offering hair services that keep everyone in style.
Tell us about your business.
Kelly Hair Salon has been open for 16 years. I named it after my daughter Kelly because it was better to have an English business name back then. I have been cutting hair since I was young, and it is the only trade I know. When I moved to America, it was only natural that I open a hair salon.
Why did you open your business in Chinatown?
I don’t speak English, so there weren’t very many options for me. In Chinatown, I can communicate with everyone, and it feels like home. There are so many food options that are familiar to me. It brings me a lot of comfort.
“In Chinatown, I can communicate with everyone, and it feels like home. There are so many food options that are familiar to me. It brings me a lot of comfort.”
Who are your customers?
Most customers are from outside of Chinatown. They come from Upstate New York, New Jersey, and Long Island. Most of them are Chinese. One in ten customers is not Chinese.
How has the pandemic affected your business?
We had to shut down for 3 months in 2020, so we didn’t have any revenue during that time. When we opened again, business seemed okay at first, but got worse over time.
Has your business improved in 2021?
Business still hasn’t returned to normal. For months after last June, we had about 20% of our usual business. Even with people getting vaccinated, we are only at around 40%.
“I hope everyone gets vaccinated. If we all work together and support each other, we can get back to our normal lives.”
How will the Longevity Fund help your business?
Even though we had to shut down last June, we still had to pay rent. The Longevity Fund will help us keep the salon running. The money will go toward paying utility bills and back rent.
What changes have you seen in Chinatown in the past year?
Right now the neighborhood feels empty because businesses close early. There’s a lot of racism against Chinese people. They get robbed and attacked, and when people hear about these incidents, they stay away from Chinatown because they are afraid.
What message of hope would you like to express to the neighborhood?
I hope everyone gets vaccinated. If we all work together and support each other, we can get back to our normal lives.
Chinatown establishments like Kelly Hair Salon are what makes the spirit of our neighborhood. We need your support to keep that spirit alive. Please consider donating to The Longevity Fund, our small business relief fund, or help us spread the word of what’s at stake. Together, we can preserve Chinatown businesses and help keep Chinatown open for business.
Photo Credits: Fuxuan Xin
