Alyson Krueger, The New York Times
Published: 03 Jan 2021 02:33 PM BdST
Updated: 03 Jan 2021 02:33 PM BdST Patrick Mock, of Light Up Chinatown, who hung lanterns in the Chinatown area in New York, Dec 28, 2020. The New York Times
Two days before Christmas, Mott Street, right in the heart of Chinatown, was filled with lights overnight. Residents woke up to 250 violet, pink, orange and gold lanterns hanging above the street. Local artists had painted whimsical designs and auspicious characters onto them: fu, for good fortune; he, for peace. Other characters stood for love, happiness, wealth and longevity. );
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It is a neighbourhood that could use some cheer, said Max Davidson from Admerasia, an advertising agency that focuses on Asian American entrepreneurs. “Even in January,” he said, referring to the early days of the coronavirus pandemic and the xenophobia that Chinatown suffered, “a lot of the local businesses were reporting a 50 to 70% revenue drop.” Since the
CHINATOWN, Manhattan (WABC) After two months raising funds for the Light Up Chinatown initiative, community partners on Wednesday announced the successful completion of having lights and lanterns up on Mott Street in time for the holidays.
The historic project brought together intergenerational group of business and civic leaders, talented artists, dedicated advocates and activists to safeguard Chinatown s recovery from the pandemic.
It also included a significant contribution from award-winning actor and musician Will Smith.
The Light Up Chinatown initiative was the brainchild of Patrick Mock, community advocate and manager of 46 Mott Street Bakery. We need confidence out here and this is a confidence boost for the neighborhood, Mock said. So this is like my light up Chinatown project.
Will Smith helps Light Up Chinatown complete Phase 1 of streetlight initiative UP NEXT
After two months raising funds for the Light Up Chinatown initiative, community partners on Wednesday announced the successful completion of having lights and lanterns up on Mott Street in time for the holidays.
The historic project brought together intergenerational group of business and civic leaders, talented artists, dedicated advocates and activists to safeguard Chinatown s recovery from the pandemic.
It also included a significant contribution from award-winning actor and musician Will Smith.
The Light Up Chinatown initiative was the brainchild of Patrick Mock, community advocate and manager of 46 Mott Street Bakery.
City Winery/Adam Pass [Official]
City Winery launches new COVID-19 holiday promotion
City Winery has been investing in a string of COVID-19 promotions at its new, massive flagship in Chelsea. In the fall, after the 32,000-square-foot space debuted at Pier 57, City Winery offered $50 rapid COVID-19 tests to indoor dining customers on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Now that indoor dining has been banned in NYC, the company has turned to offering a free COVID-19 test with the purchase of a case of wine as a holiday promotion.
In the first weekend of the promotion, about 50 people bought cases of wine and got a free test, City Winery founder and CEO Michael Dorf tells the
In this second season ofÂ
Will From Home,
 Will is spotlighting everyday heroes across the country for their acts of selflessness and bravery. During the pandemic, Patrickâs bakery (46 Mott in Chinatown) was one of the only places in the neighborhood that stayed open. He started making hundreds of free meals a day, delivering them to unhoused and elderly people in the area, and to a local hospital. Nearly a year later, Patrickâs still doing it.
Patrickâs story captured our hearts, and now Will is surprising him! In addition to Alicia Keys joining them for karaoke and Will surprising Patrick with a new Phat Scooter, Asian Americans For Equality donated $10k towards Patrickâs âLight Up Chinatownâ initiative and Google granted him $50k from 1863 Ventures and Google.org and a year of coaching to support his efforts, along with new cooler backpacks to help get out his deliveries.