After 26 years serving Hell's Kitchen, on January 11, 2018 the Chong family closed the doors and shuttered the gate for the last time at Empire Tailors & Cleaners.
John and Tanya Chong opened Empire Tailors & Cleaners at 674 9th Avenue in 1992. They raised their two children, Brian and Amanda, in the store. We watched them grow up. We helped with homework. The Chong's accepted delivery packages for us. They kept their eyes on the street. They stored Spider's folding chair so he wouldn't have to lug it for his daily sit on the sidewalk in front of the store - a location he has presided over for decades. The Chong's gave countless generosities. They are good, kind people who ran a good, honest business.
Goodbye John, Tanya, Brian, and Amanda. Thank you for your work. Thank you for being the best of what neighborhood should be. Thank you for being family. |
AuthorE. B. Gallardo Archives
February 2019
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