There Will Be a Light at the End of the Tunnel
“I really don't know where things are going to go, but we are taking it day by day.”
In early March, May Wah reopened as Lily’s Vegan Pantry. Later, as fear of the coronavirus spread, someone questioned the intent behind the new name. Photo by Alexandria Misch for Canal Street News
AS TOLD BY LILY NG
Founded in 1995, May Wah Vegetarian Market was a family-owned and operated business located in the heart of Manhattan’s Chinatown in New York City. Lee Mee Ng, our president, pioneered her way through the start of the vegetarian market industry. Her goal was simple: to offer consumers a healthier alternative to animal protein.
Due to the launch of a new industry, consumers were not as understanding. We experienced a harsh beginning—even when we gave our products away for free. However, in the middle of every difficulty lies an opportunity. We believed in our goal and we overcame the challenges. Throughout the years, our vegetarian products gradually evolved into vegan products by constant taste tests and product improvements. And May Wah slowly became a household name in the vegetarian industry.
After two and a half decades of offering healthy, delicious and enjoyable vegetarian alternatives, Lee Mee—my mother—decided to retire and I was going to take the company to the next level by making our whole market vegan and relaunch under a new name, Lily's Vegan Pantry. Our mission is to promote healthy well-being and happiness through our diverse offering of products, and we are committed to raising awareness about the physical and environmental benefits of consuming a cruelty-free diet. Now, we continue to be a pioneer in seeking out the very best meat alternatives for our customers, and this remains at the core of our commitment today: No meat, no egg-scuses.
On March 1, we renewed our lease on Hester Street and started our renovations. Weeks later, we announced our relaunch and noticed someone on social media questioned if our renovation was “fake news” and wondered if we were closed because of the “China virus.” We were speechless to see the effects of the pandemic starting. But our loyal customers quickly came to our defense and stated that we announced the renovations weeks before the pandemic.
The day we officially opened under Lily's Vegan Pantry, the news announced that all businesses should not continue to operate due to COVID-19 and Chinatown became a ghost town overnight. I met with our managers and decided on plans of action. We needed to act quickly because we saw how the businesses in Asia were affected when it first started. We knew sales would drop significantly but we need to stay open to pay Manhattan rent, utilities and our employees. We brought each employee in and discussed if they were comfortable working in this situation. But more than half of our employees decided it was too risky to commute. Within the next few days, our business dropped more than 80 percent and our retail sales disappeared.
“We were speechless to see the effects of the pandemic starting.” —Lily Ng
These days we drive our remaining employees to work and home to make sure they are safe. With limited employees, my retired mother helps prepare online orders and brings us lunch from Flushing because many of the Chinatown restaurants are operating under limited hours or closed. We continue to ship nationwide, do live Instagram stories Monday through Wednesday to promote in-store products, offer discounts and coupons, and provide free home deliveries to Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn—and brainstorming every minute to keep our business afloat. We still consider ourselves lucky because our employees are willing to take the risk and come to work and have customers that support small businesses like us. It is because of this support from the community that we are able to stay optimistic and survive.
I really don't know where things are going to go, but we are taking it day by day. Just like how my mother launched the beginning of May Wah, I hope to find the silver lining in this situation and overcome the challenge. It may be a long road, but I believe there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.
Lily’s Vegan Pantry at 213 Hester Street is fully stocked with vegan and vegetarian meat alternatives during the COVID-19 crisis. Order for pickup or delivery at www.maywahnyc.com or call 212-334-4428.
Lily’s Vegan Pantry | May Wah Vegetarian Market
213 Hester Street
(between Baxter and Centre)
New York, NY 10013
