53 Mott / 79 Bayard
Built in 1870
2024
53 Mott / 79 Bayard
Built in 1870
1940s
Interview
With MR. MARK (OWNER OF MARK'S WINE & SPIRITS)
Interview conducted in May 2022, with Cantonese interpretation by Roxy Chang.
+ Would you give me a brief introduction of yourself and your family’s connection to Chinatown?
I’m the third generation to run the shop — my uncle’s name is Mark and I’m the great grandson of the original founder. I was born in China and grew up in the Bronx. I still live in the Bronx.
+ How long has this shop been here?
Around 70 – 80 years. It’s been here since the 1940s or so.
+ How has the building changed over time?
The building hasn’t really changed much since then. There’s been some interior renovation here and there, but it’s mostly been the same.
We did renovate the interior slightly, twice since the 1970s-1980s. Also, back then we had [metal] pull gates in the front.
The storefront after Lunar New Year festivities, 2024.
The sign outside has also changed, but the main color and look of the building is the same.
+ What about your inventory — how has this changed over time?
Before, this was an Italian neighborhood, so we sold Johnny Walker Red label and Remy Martin. Now, it’s changed a lot, so we sell tequila, bourbon and other liquors.
+ What is the history of this shop? Who owns the building?
My father gave me the business around 25 years ago. I used to come visit my grandfather here in the shop. When I was small, I would help him here.
Before, the building owner was a friend of my great grandfather, who worked here without a lease at the very beginning — things were agreed upon verbally. The owner and my great grandfather came from the same hometown [in China], and considered themselves brothers although they were not blood relations. The building has been owned by this same family since the 1940s, for 4 generations.
+ What are your fondest childhood memories of Chinatown?
When I came to Chinatown, I liked to watch Chinese movies at the theatre, like the Sun Sing Theatre. I also liked to come see the Chinese New Year fireworks. These were my favorite times.
Back then, the elders didn’t let us go around much to Chinatown (because of the gang violence) — it was just like that.
Now, I go from home to store, store to home!
53 MOTT - MARK'S WINE & SPIRITS - BUILDING PHOTOGRAPHS
Photographs taken in 2022.
Interview
With MRS. TANG (OF HUNG LEE CO.)
Interview conducted in June 2022, with Chinese interpretation by Roxy Chang.
+ Would you give me a brief introduction of yourself and your connection to Chinatown?
This is my husband’s family’s business. I’ve been working here for around 7 years, as long as I’ve been married to my husband.
My husband grew up in Chinatown, around this area, and today we live in this neighborhood.
+ How long has this shop been here?
Our family has been in this produce business for over 20 years.
Previously, this used to be a vegetable store and we took over the business around the early 2010s. My father-in-law’s friend used to own the business and was here for a long time. This last owner, who sold vegetables, was Chinese. Prior to that, this shop was owned by an Italian owner who sold Italian produce here.
Today, we sell regional vegetables, including southeast specialities like Asian chilis and lemongrass. My mother-in-law is Malaysian Chinese, so the shop sells Thai, Malaysian and Vietnamese produce.
+ How long has this building been here?
The [original] building owner’s son is already 70 years old, and the original owner has passed away, so it’s not clear exactly how long, but it’s definitely been here a long time.
Right now, there are different commercial units on the ground level and on the second floor, upstairs is an educational center, though before, it used to be a bank.
Mrs. Tang at the shop’s storefront, 2022.
+ Do you know of any major renovations or changes to the building since it was first constructed?
It’s always been like this — we’ve never done much construction.
+ Who are the store’s clients?
Usually people who live nearby shop at our store. We are also the vegetable supplier for Thai restaurants in Manhattan.
+ Where do your vegetables come from?
We have about five to six different vegetable suppliers.
+ Do you have any favorite veggies?
We sell vegetables, so we don’t really like eating them ourselves!
… But if I had to choose, it would be basil. You can put it in anything — it’s a great way to accessorize any dish.
+ How have you seen Chinatown impacted since the pandemic started? How have you felt about this?
A lot of the businesses and restaurants we used to deliver to have closed down during the pandemic. It’s been difficult… a lot of younger people buy groceries online and so the people who buy from us tend to be older folks who don’t know how to use the internet.
+ Tell me about shop life…
Our favorite things here are our cats. We have four cats. They come and go as they please; sometimes they go out for a walk or go to the park, then come back. People in the neighborhood like the cats. There’s a Korean girl who comes regularly to sit here and pet the cat on her lunch break. Another one of my cats, my black cat, loves to go to the next door deli to sleep on the couch there.
79 BAYARD - HUNG LEE CO. - BUILDING PHOTOGRAPHS
Photographs taken in 2022.