NYC Chinatown’s next generation is taking over their immigrant parents’ businesses and bringing new innovation. 

NYC Chinatown’s next generation is taking over their immigrant parents’ businesses and bringing new innovation. In 2020, consumer spending in New York’s Chinatown dropped 82% and over 150 shops were impacted. Many children of immigrant families grew up in Chinatown over the last few decades and are now young adults who are bringing Gen Z and Millennial flair to family businesses, conjoining years of tradition with new ideas. Alice Liu, a 27-year-old second gen New Yorker helps her family run Grand Tea & Imports, and works with her sister to boost their ecommerce and social media presence. Meanwhile, Mei Lum, 4th gen owner of Wing On Wo, a porcelain ware store, is focusing on paying homage to her family while also running the W.O.W. Project, a community-led non-profit she founded that “highlights the works of women, non-binary, and queer youth to help preserve Chinatown’s creative culture.” YPulse’s Employment and Career Goals report data shows 66% of BIPOC young people say helping other people / making a difference is important to them when thinking about their future career. (Insider)