Jing Fong Permanently Closes its Chinatown Banquet Hall After 43 Years on Elizabeth Street
Photo: Karlin Chan
Chinatown locals welcomed the news of iconic Pearl River Mart finding a new home, but another Chinatown mainstay is downsizing in a major way.
Late yesterday afternoon, Jing Fong restaurant took the community by surprise with an announcement that its indoor dining floor is permanently closing down March 7. It will, however, continue service from the second-floor kitchen for the patio, takeout, and delivery “until further notice.”
Jing Fong, a neighborhood staple and tourist attraction since 1978, has operated in the same location for decades and was the setting for many a wedding. But its importance to Chinatown goes well beyond. As the last remaining large scale venue able to accommodate parties or functions up to 900 persons, its loss will drive another proverbial nail into the coffin.
Gone will be long lines of visitors and locals waiting for a table to enjoy Dim Sum, and the tourist dollars spent in Chinatown. Gone also will be a venue for the many fundraising functions held by CBO’s and traditional family associations during Chinese festivals and holidays.
The ongoing pandemic has crippled Chinatown businesses, yes; but the Jing Fong closure is by far the biggest loss to date. Ongoing indoor dining restrictions and limited inside seating available, the banquet hall was hard-pressed to pay rent or meet payrolls. And without adequate Government response to help small business and landlords, many more face the same fate.
Jing Fong will undoubtedly look to maintain a presence in Chinatown, yet seems unlikely they’ll find a home comparable to its current cavernous space. Meanwhile, will promised aid from Washington in it’s new proposed round of stimulus package actually reach the small businesses the original package last year intended or will it get swallowed up by big business again?
Recent Stories
Delivery Worker Slashed and Mugged in Ridge Street Condo
A food delivery worker on the job was slashed across the face Sunday evening while in the elevator of a luxury condo building on Ridge Street, according to police. The unidentified victim, a 29-year-old man, had been in the elevator of 78 Ridge Street (Ridge Street Residences nee River Ridge Condo) when he was approached by […]
Under Community Pressure, City Moves to Renovate Rivington Playground
As Sara D. Roosevelt Park continues its steady descent, area stakeholders are pushing to rehabilitate a key playground in the northern section of the park to stave off the danger element. The Rivington Street Playground, situated across from the M’finda Kalunga Garden, is next on the docket for a refresh, much in the same way […]
‘Belse’ Erases Paulaner from the Bowery Ahead of New Vegan Brewery
A vegan brewery and restaurant is poised to open on the Bowery, taking the place of the failed, and since fallow, Paulaner Brauhaus. Indeed, as previously reported, Dallas-based Belse is on board to take over 265-267 Bowery. The relative newcomer – which began life last February – will go even bigger with this larger Lower […]
Moscot Moves HQ from the Corner to New Orchard Street Store
Moscot is no longer on the corner, leaving behind Orchard and Delancey for a spot just paces to the south. And for the first time in its history, no rent to pay. As first reported by Bowery Boogie earlier this year, the centenary opticians chose the mid-block space at 94 Orchard as new base of […]
Mark Miller Reopens Orchard Street Gallery This Week with Street Artist Hektad
The Mark Miller Gallery returns to Orchard Street this week, and is enlisting the help of an established graffiti writer to help relaunch. The longtime Lower East Side showroom will reopen on Wednesday – after a two-year pandemic hiatus – with an exhibit featuring Hektad. “Looking at the graffiti art of Hektad is like finding […]
