Q: Could you tell us about the history of Yunhong Chopsticks and its journey to opening the first U.S. store in Chinatown?

Bing: Our store started in 2009 to provide a cultural product that could represent the Chinese people here. We noticed there was already a great presence of restaurants and gift shops in Chinatown, and we wanted to approach our business from a different angle, especially because shopping is a big part of this area. Our store offers chopsticks made from a variety of woods such as mahogany and sandalwood, as well as other materials, including porcelain, stainless steel, and more.

Q: Can you talk about some of your special chopsticks? Do you have a favorite?

Bing: All of our chopsticks are special, but we have a few with hand-painted characters and symbols. My favorite ones are the mahogany chopsticks. They come in black and red, which are natural colors, and they last much longer than other wooden chopsticks. I don’t want to replace my chopsticks that often, and the mahogany ones can last for years after purchase.

Q: Could you share a memorable interaction or story about a customer who visited your store?

Bing: We have many customers who keep coming back because we’re still the only shop in New York City that specializes in chopsticks. My most interesting experiences are with the tour guides. Large groups of tourists from Europe and parts of America stop by often. The guides give a little background story about our store and describe the materials of our chopsticks, the symbols, and the meanings behind them.

Q: What aspect of your business has led you to success?

Bing: I would say our variety. We have a lot of options from different price ranges, from as low as $2.99 to $200. This lets people choose what to buy based on their budget and needs.

Q: Why was Chinatown chosen as the location for Yunhong Chopsticks’ first U.S. store?

Bing: Chinatown seemed like an obvious place for our first store, as our products appealed to the culture and people of the area. Chopsticks are an important aspect of Chinese and Asian culture, and we use them to eat in basically every meal. We wanted to offer high-quality chopsticks to the local people here, compared to the cheap pairs in the supermarket that are made quickly or molded easily with cheap coatings.

Q: Have you noticed an increase in customers from outside of Chinatown coming to the shop?

Bing: Yes, because many of the people still living in Chinatown are the older generations. The younger ones are moving to different areas, like Queens, Brooklyn, or even out of state. The tour guides who stop by have brought in more customers from outside of Chinatown.

Q: How has the local community responded to your store since it opened? How do you see Yunhong Chopsticks contributing to the Chinatown community?

Bing: They do appreciate it. We have many locals who keep coming back here, looking to buy the same chopsticks they bought last time. They often say how they can’t find chopsticks like ours anywhere else. I feel like we are a must-see store in Chinatown, and we contribute to the culture and needs of the community.

Q: How do you envision your store’s role in Chinatown’s future?

Bing: I feel it is very important to maintain traditions and culture from generation to generation. I think that it’s a good idea for our store to continue operating, as people really care about what they put inside their bodies, so we offer natural chopsticks without any harmful chemical coatings.