Campaign to help small businesses a highlight of Lunar New Year festivities in Chinatown
NEW YORK -- Lunar New Year is almost upon us. This year, the big celebrations in Chinatown fall on Feb. 10, ushering in the Year of the Dragon.
Dragons are symbols of strength and power, qualities shared by Chinatown's long-time merchants, like Andy Ha, owner of the restaurant Nha Trang One. It's one of 12 businesses benefiting from an art giveaway campaign that rewards customers with free collectible calendars.
"I think it's wonderful. They come here and they bring customers here," Ha said.
The project brings together local artists, including Amanda Chung, whose work draws you in.
"For people that are potentially outside of the community to kind of come in and support these small businesses," Chung said.
"From Chinatown, With Love" has been around since 2021 and it has helped 47 businesses, raising $86,000 so far.
"Abrons Arts Center and the WOW project together resource the calendar," said Ali Rosa-Salas, the center's vice president of visual and performing arts. "Each business gets a select number of calendars, that if patrons spend $35 or more they receive that calendar while supplies last. All of that revenue that's being driven through the project stays with the businesses."
"Art is a way for us to celebrate, uplift, to bring visual love letters to these businesses," said Mei Lum, project founder and also the owner of Wing on Wo.
Lum is inviting visitors to Chinatown to look around and see for themselves what makes this place so special.
For more information on Lunar New Year celebrations, please click here.
