Elizabeth Center, "EC" For Short

If you grew up in New York City, you would know that there were no shopping malls to linger around in for hours with your friends. The closest was Manhattan Mall around 34th Street. If you grew up in Chinatown, the best thing you had to a shopping mall was Elizabeth Center. An underground mall with anything Asian and anything adorable, EC was a place to hide out when it was cold, cool off when it was hot, and bring your date there to buy the latest stuffed animal.

Recently, I went back to check out EC for old times sake and half the stores were vacant. The ones that are left are closing soon. Where do the kids hang out now? A childhood memory for me will soon fade and I encourage you to check it out before it is no longer there.

Elizabeth Center 13 Elizabeth Street Between Canal & Bayard

Let us know what goodies you find!

Empty Space on Elizabeth and Bowery

You might have passed by Elizabeth or Bowery street just below Canal Street recently and wondered - why is there an empty space where a building used to be? Chinatown is getting ready for a new hotel, estimated to be finished in 2015.

Elizabeth Street Named "Private Danny Chen Way"

Elizabeth Street in Chinatown (between Bayard and Canal) has been co-named "Private Danny Chen Way" by the City Council to honor the Chinatown native who was found dead in Afghanistan from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

City Council member Margaret Chin said: "This was a vote for tolerance, acceptance, and above all, respect… Private Danny Chen Way will be an enduring testament to the life of this remarkable young man, and serve as a powerful reminder that bullying and racism have no place in our society… Throughout this ordeal, the Chen family has stood strong in the face of unimaginable grief… Their resilience and commitment to justice for their son has provided this movement the momentum it needed to break down boundaries and keep Danny’s legacy alive."

Rest well, Danny. You will be in our hearts always.