When you walk down to the basement level of the East Broadway Mall, the first shop you’ll see is Ms. Ling’s tailor shop, where she is meticulously working away at her sewing table. She has had her shop in East Broadway Mall for 20 years, and is one of the few remaining shops still open in the oldest and largest mall in Chinatown. Walking around the basement level, you’ll find other small businesses such as a Fuzhounese food stall, a jewelry/gift shop, and another tailor shop. The East Broadway Mall used to be a bustling gathering place, especially for the immigrant Fuzhounese community, where it holds three decades of memories for Chinatown residents. One business owner told us that she has been living in Chinatown and running her business in the mall since she first immigrated from Fuzhou, China 20 years ago. Although she is far away from her hometown, she has been able to find a close community here in Chinatown. It’s unclear what the future of the East Broadway Mall will be, as the city took control of the property in 2021. In November 2021, Chinatown finally received a $20 million dollar grant through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative to help the neighborhood recover from the effects of the pandemic. The initial application for the grant included a plan to revamp the East Broadway Mall, but from chatting with a few business owners still operating in the property, they are unsure of what the city’s plans are for the few remaining businesses. Please go support the businesses still operating at the East Broadway Mall! You can have your pants patched and hemmed, eat delicious dumplings, and get unique jewelry pieces - all on the same floor. Small businesses like these are the heart and soul of Chinatown ❤️