Through the Generations: TLB Trading

Chinatown storefronts can hold decades of history. Our 'Through the Generations' story series explores deep familial ties that keep the neighborhood going. TLB Trading is located on 153 E Broadway and sells home and restaurant supplies, dried Asian specialties, and fresh groceries. KarMing, Priscilla, Tina, and Benny are the Lin siblings.

When did your family come to Chinatown / New York City?

Our parents came to New York City in the early eighties. They married shortly after coming to New York and then had four kids over the next seven years! As our family expanded, so did our need for space so we moved out of our Madison St. apartment and into a house in Queens.

What was your experience growing up in Chinatown?

Chinatown has always been our second home. We spent a majority of our weekends and summers in Chinatown — helping out at the store, visiting our Grandparents, or going to church on Sundays. The days spent in Chinatown were always filled with our favorite foods that we couldn’t find in our Queen’s neighborhood — cheung fun from the street carts, soy sauce chicken over rice from Tan Wong, bubble tea from QQ’s and all of the Pocky and HiChews you could eat from Hong Kong Supermarket. When we weren’t at our parent’s store helping customers or working the cash register, our Grandparents would take us to the park and then to Blimpies to get sandwiches for lunch. Chinatown wasn't just where our parents worked but also a place for our families to gather. No matter how busy our families were, we made time to have dim sum at 88 Palace or have dinner in Wo Hop’s basement with a few rounds of karaoke to finish the night.

What does Chinatown mean to you?

Chinatown instills a feeling of belonging — of being with a community that understands our foods, languages, and traditions. Growing up in America, we always felt that we had to be like others to fit in but in Chinatown, we could truly embrace and engage in our culture. Looking back at how far our parents have come (from immigrants to business owners), we know that having a community like Chinatown helped them feel welcomed and brought comfort to them when things got hard. Although Chinatown is changing, so many of our memories are rooted in this special place and will always be a part of who we are. We have celebrated birthdays and graduations, said our goodbyes to loved ones, and have even gotten married in Chinatown (two of the four Lin siblings had their wedding receptions at Jing Fong!).

Why is it important to you that you remember your family history?

Our family’s history is so important because it is what shaped us and what will shape the future generation. Our parents started selling restaurant equipment and supplies after owning and running many restaurants over the years. As kids growing up, we always whined about having to help out at the store but now that we understand just how hard our parents have worked for the past 30+ years, we want to help ease their workload. Everyone helps out at the store — from Grandma (who’s in her eighties) to the newest member of our family (our mini-manager!) and it has brought us closer together as a family. Parents believe that their children’s success is their success but we believe that our parent’s success is our success and that is what pushes us to help as much as we can.

What is something that you hold on to that reminds you of Chinatown on a daily basis?

Our store! No matter where we go or how old we get, TLB Trading will always be our go to spot.