Pearl River Mart is an
Asian-American retail brand and family-run business in New York City.[1][2] The business was founded in 1971 in
Chinatown, Manhattan, as Chinese Native Products by Ming Yi Chen and a group of student activists from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Chen has said that he and his colleagues "wanted to create a small window into the Chinese culture".[3] Its products include braided straw slippers,
paper lanterns,
cheongsams, cotton
Mary Janes, and copies of Mao's Little Red Book.[4][5][6] Pearl River Mart has become a
New York City institution.[5] The business has an art gallery in its main location, and hosts in-store events and performances.[7][8]
History
Pearl River Mart was founded in 1971 by Ming Yi Chen and a group of activists from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.[9]Diplomatic relations between the United States and China were frozen at the time, and trade was banned due to the
Cold War.[10] The founders hoped that the store would improve cultural understanding of China. When trade relations were restored, Pearl River Mart was an early recipient of Chinese goods.[9] The store has occupied various locations since its founding,[4][6][11][12] including a 30,000-square-foot (2,800 m2) location at Broadway and Broome Street in
SoHo, Manhattan, described as a "department store".[13]
In October 2020, the business expanded "within Chelsea Market ... with the addition of Pearl Mart Foods".[18] In addition to a grocery, the location houses three vendors: Mao's Bao, Kimbap Lab, and Tea and Milk.[18]
On April 4, 2021, their main location at 395 Broadway closed "after a dispute with the landlord".[19][20] On May 1, 2021, their main location reopened at 452 Broadway.[21]
Pearl River Mart has been involved with local community efforts, including a fund drive to procure and donate KN95 masks and other PPE to frontline workers during a time PPE was difficult to obtain, and a lantern installation throughout Manhattan Chinatown with the purpose of increasing foot traffic, improving business, and making residents feel safe.[22][19][23]
Pearl River Mart has collaborated with several Asian-American designers and entrepreneurs. In June 2022, the business expanded their fashion line with a capsule that put "a fresh and modern take on traditional Chinese garments".[24] It also has an art gallery, which showcases the work of Asian and Asian-American artists;[2] featured artists have included Arlan Huang,
Corky Lee,
Chinatown Art Brigade, and
Yumi Sakugawa.[25][26][27][28]Artists Space and the
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center have been guest curators.[28][29] Recent art exhibitions have included companion exhibitions in Chelsea Market.[30][31]