Last November, a man walked through the shop’s doors and began to yell about COVID-19. The man then pepper-sprayed Zhang, who said he was in pain for hours afterward.
“I’m grateful it wasn’t anything more serious, it was only pepper spray … When I was watching the video, I just realized how lucky I was,” Zhang said.
How to Help
The attack was yet another obstacle in an already difficult year for Zhang, whose shop hardly gets foot traffic anymore.
“Our goal so far is just trying to survive,” Zhang said.
D.C. government leaders visited Zhang in his shop on Friday. They’ve helped him apply for grants throughout the pandemic and say they believe it’s important to support Asian-owned businesses.