Pearl River Mart
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Founder | Ming Yi Chen and student activists from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | New York City |
| Products | Woven straw slippers, paper lanterns, traditional cheongsams, cotton Mary Jane shoes, editions of Mao's Little Red Book, groceries (Pearl Mart Foods) |
Overview
Pearl River Mart is a family-operated retail brand representing Asian-American culture, based in New York City. Established in 1971 within Manhattan's Chinatown, it originally operated under the name Chinese Native Products. The store was launched by Ming Yi Chen alongside a collective of student activists from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Chen has expressed that their goal was to "offer a small window into Chinese culture."
Their merchandise assortment features items such as woven straw slippers, paper lanterns, traditional cheongsams, cotton Mary Jane shoes, and editions of Mao's Little Red Book. Over time, Pearl River Mart has evolved into a recognized New York City landmark. The flagship store incorporates an art gallery and regularly organizes events and performances within its premises.
History
Pearl River Mart was established in 1971 by Ming Yi Chen along with a coalition of activists originating from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. At that time, diplomatic ties between the United States and China were suspended, and trade was prohibited due to the tensions of the Cold War. The founders envisioned the store as a means to foster greater cultural awareness of China. Once trade relations resumed, Pearl River Mart became one of the initial outlets to import Chinese merchandise. Over the years, the store has operated from multiple venues, including a substantial 30,000-square-foot space located at Broadway and Broome Street in SoHo, Manhattan, which was characterized as a "department store."
The store shuttered in March 2016 because of rising rental costs but reopened later that year in November under the direction of Joanne Kwong, who is the daughter-in-law of the Chen family. Kwong is an alumna of Columbia University with a background as an attorney, law professor at Fordham University School of Law, and vice president of communications at Barnard College. In November 2017, Pearl River Mart broadened its presence by opening a second outlet within Chelsea Market. A third branch followed in January 2019 at the Museum of Chinese in America.
In October 2020, Pearl River Mart further expanded its footprint inside Chelsea Market by launching Pearl Mart Foods. This new location not only functions as a grocery store but also hosts three vendors: Mao's Bao, Kimbap Lab, and Tea and Milk. On April 4, 2021, the flagship store at 395 Broadway closed due to a landlord dispute but subsequently reopened on May 1, 2021, at a new address: 452 Broadway.
The company has actively participated in community initiatives such as organizing fundraising efforts to supply KN95 masks and other personal protective equipment to frontline workers during periods when these resources were scarce. Additionally, Pearl River Mart contributed to a lantern installation throughout Manhattan’s Chinatown aimed at boosting pedestrian traffic, supporting local businesses, and enhancing residents’ sense of security.
Collaborations with Asian-American designers and entrepreneurs have been a notable aspect of Pearl River Mart’s operations. In June 2022, they introduced a fashion capsule collection that offered contemporary reinterpretations of traditional Chinese attire. The store also features an art gallery dedicated to showcasing works by Asian and Asian-American artists. Past exhibitions have included pieces by Arlan Huang, Corky Lee, Chinatown Art Brigade, and Yumi Sakugawa. Guest curators have included organizations such as Artists Space and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. Recent exhibitions have sometimes extended into companion shows hosted within Chelsea Market.
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Template:Chinatown, Manhattan Template:SoHo, Manhattan Template:Broadway (Manhattan) 40°43′06″N 74°00′10″W / 40.7182°N 74.0028°W