Mr Chen’s convenience store in New York’s Chinatown is crammed into a space so small he can touch both walls on either side of him at the same time.
Much larger spaces sit empty a short walk from his storefront.
An article from Sing Tao Daily republished by New American Media reports on how high rents are either squeezing merchants out of Chinatown completely or into tight spaces.
Qitan Liu runs a floral shop and pays $3600 a month for rent. His lease is expiring and he’s fearful his landlord will raise the rent and force him out.
“The landlord would rather leave it empty and wait for a preferable tenant than lower the price,” said Liu.
However, there’s a possible creative solution to the problem that is getting serious attention.
You can read about that in New American Media.
