Pearl River Mart Gets a Makeover in Tribeca — and a New Owner

TRIBECA, NY — The old SoHo favorite Pearl River Mart is set to reopen in Tribeca in May 2017 after major renovations and a new vision from a younger president, the business announced in a press release Tuesday night.

The mart's new president will be Joanne Kwong, the daughter-in-law of the old spot's husband-and-wife owners, the announcement said. Kwong said the market will open up a temporary pop-up shop in mid-November at its new location, 395 Broadway, so people can get their holiday shopping done before the official launch.

Kwong's vision for the new Pearl River includes stocking it with more modern merchandise, expanding its social media presence and regularly hosting Asian-American designers and artists from around the world and a program of performances and exhibitions, she said.

Previously vice president of communications at Barnard College, Kwong said: "In this age of e-commerce, social media and experiential retail, it's actually a great advantage to be an independent, authentic and nimble brand. My team and I are thinking big, local and digital."

Pearl River Mart was originally opened in SoHo in 1971 by Ming Yi Chen and Ching Yeh Chen as a "friendship store" to cultivate friendships between the Chinese and Americans. Last year, the husband and wife were forced out of their SoHo location because of skyrocketing rents, they said.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Pearl River Mart