Wing on Wo & Co

Wing on Wo & Co, the oldest shop in Chinatown, is more than just a porcelain business—it’s a vital part of the community. Founded by Walter Eng in 1890, it originally operated as a general store, an informal post office, a credit union, and sold a small selection of porcelain. It also served as a gathering place for the neighborhood.

In 1964, his daughter Nancy Seid took over the store and shifted its focus to Chinese porcelain. In 2016, Mei Lum, Nancy’s granddaughter, faced the choice between attending graduate school or joining the family business. She couldn’t give up on her childhood home and became the fifth-generation owner at just 26 years old.

Lum is committed to keeping the community alive and founded the WOW Project. Through the project, she has hosted events such as film screenings and open mic nights centered on the Asian American experience. She also created a ceramicist fair and an annual storefront artist-in-residence program.

During the pandemic, the WOW Project focused on fundraising while Wing on Wo shifted to online sales. Today, Wing on Wo continues to sell porcelain and cultural goods connected to Chinese culture and stands as a reminder of Chinatown’s rich history and cultural significance.

26 Mott Street, New York, NY 10013