Ms. Chen Expert Tailoring

Ms. Chen at Her Workstation (PC: Sheng Lin)

Meet Ms. Chen Expert Tailoring, one of the few businesses remaining in East Broadway Mall.

Growing up in Fujian Lianjiang, Ms. Chen didn't have a lot of opportunities. She could either become a hairdresser or a seamstress. She was interested in cutting hair, but unfortunately, a major illness left her disabled and made it very difficult to use small haircutting tools.

As she was always interested in fashion, she taught herself how to sew at 13. She started by helping her neighbors sew simple garments, then apprenticed at a local shop before saving up enough money to open her small business. Sewing brought her a lot of satisfaction. She was skilled at her craft, and people from neighboring regions would visit her shop to get their clothes made and altered.

In 1993, Ms. Chen's husband came to the U.S. in search of better economic opportunities. She tried for ten years before successfully reuniting with her husband in 2003. After arriving, she settled in Flushing and got into the beauty industry doing at-home facials. However, she yearned to open a small business again someday. Unfortunately, no storefronts were available in Chinatown, so she worked as a seamstress at another clothing store in the meantime. In 2004, she opened her first shop outside East Broadway Mall. She chose that location as it was convenient and attracted a lot of foot traffic. In 2006, she moved her business inside the mall, and she's been there ever since.

Sixteen years later, Ms. Chen continues to sew and mend clothes for her customers in the basement of East Broadway Mall. She has a diverse clientele and has even altered clothes for fashion designers and models. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was closed for a year and a half. Loyal customers kept ringing her phone, so she finally reopened her business in July 2021.

Ms. Chen prides herself on her craftsmanship and expertise. Whether it's a pair of blue jeans or a fancy evening gown, she will always help you alter your clothes until you're satisfied. Visit her in person or give her a call at 917-330-1538 if you need her expert tailoring services!

📍 Ms. Chen Expert Tailoring
88 E Broadway, Basement Level B42, New York, NY 10002