Business Spotlight: Yu & Me Books
Lucy Yu, Owner of Yu & Me Books (Photos by Caroline Xia @carolinexia_)
Yu & Me Books
44 Mulberry St.
(646) 559-1165
yuandmebooks.com
Yu & Me Books is a bookstore, cafe, bar, and community space founded by Lucy Yu. Lucy’s dream was to create a home that she never found in a bookstore growing up. The bookstore focuses on the strong, diverse voices of the AAPI community, with a focus on immigrant stories. The initials of the bookstore, YM, are actually her mother's initials to showcase the stories and love in different languages that have been passed down for generations.
Give us a brief background on yourself and your business!
My name is Lucy Yu, I'm 28 years old and I'm the owner of Yu & Me Books! Yu & Me Books is the first female Asian-American bookstore in NYC and focuses on immigrant stories and books written by writers of color. We also have coffee, wine, and beer so you can sip and read to your hearts content!
How did you start your business, and what inspired you?
I poured my life savings from working as a chemical engineer and supply chain manager on top of starting a GoFundMe that received so much incredible support from the community into creating this space. I put together a business plan that was incredibly conservative and was still working full time for the first few months of starting the business. The way that everyone showed up to support blew me away and I could have never predicted that other people wanted the space as much as I did. Yu & Me Books would not exist without every single customer that's supported the store. What continues to inspire me are the people I see every day, and the love & good that they give me. I just wanted our stories to be told in a louder way, and the connections that I've created with people because of sharing those stories give me immense hope.
How does your identity as an Asian American influence your work?
I know my journey of understanding my identity and my history has been and always will be very non-linear. I also know that I may be on this journey for awhile and my perspective will change over time. By being on this ever shifting path, I get to read stories that follow me through these different stages and it makes me feel far less alone. I get to spend my days matchmaking these stories with where my customers are on their journeys too!
I just wanted our stories to be told in a louder way, and the connections that I've created with people because of sharing those stories give me immense hope.
Why is it important for you as an AAPI to be involved in the Chinatown community?
The Chinatown community has given me nothing but love and warmth, and has embraced me since day one. It's a community that knows how hard it is to ask for help and tries to offer help before we even have to muster up the courage to ask. To be a part of that is such an honor because we are all surrounded by a large generational range of business owners looking out for each other.
What small business in Chinatown inspires you, and why?
KK Discount and Tasty Dumpling! I see how hard they work and how much they care for their family, and that perseverance is incredibly inspiring.
What’s your favorite item that you sell?
Other than books themselves, I love hosting events for people and to see authors faces light up when they see all the support they have surrounding them.
“The Chinatown community has given me nothing but love and warmth, and has embraced me since day one. To be a part of that is such an honor because we are all surrounded by a large generational range of business owners looking out for each other.”
What’s the best way to stay in touch and support your work?
All of our events can be found on our website (https://www.yuandmebooks.com/events) and our Instagram (@yuandmebooks)! We also have a newsletter you can sign up for when you go to yuandmebooks.com!
What is your advice to other AAPI vendors?
Dream big and just because it hasn't been done before, doesn't mean there isn't an audience for it.
What are your go-to spots in Chinatown, and your must-buy items from there?
KK Discount (I literally buy everything there), Art Bean Coffee (their ube latte is my favorite), and Miss Du's (go for the Mango Sago Pomelo)!
If you’d like to support Yu & Me Books, stop by at 44 Mulberry St to grab a book, get a drink, or join a community event, or visit Yu & Me Books’ website.
Chinatown establishments like Yu & Me Books are what makes the spirit of our neighborhood. Please consider making a donation to our small business relief fund, The Longevity Fund, or help us spread the word of what’s at stake. Together, we can preserve Chinatown businesses and help ensure Chinatown will always be open for business.
