$250K Amazon donation revives Seattle Chinatown’s annual Night Market
Amazon has pledged $250,000 to revive the annual Night Market in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District (CID) for the next three years.
About the night market: The event, a significant cultural and community tradition since 2006, had to be canceled in 2023 due to rising production costs and diminishing sponsorship. The Night Market attracts thousands of visitors, offering diverse cuisines, cultural performances and support to local small businesses.
Amazon’s donation: The e-commerce company’s donation aims to ensure the continuation of the beloved community event, with plans for the next market scheduled for September 2024.
“We just wanted to step up and do the right thing,” Taylor Hoang, senior manager of community engagement with Amazon, told King5. “Create a space where cultural diversity is embraced, and we will be there right along all of our community partners to ensure that happens.”
Gratitude of leaders: Community leaders and officials expressed gratitude for Amazon’s support in preserving a fixture that has played a crucial role in supporting small businesses and enriching the neighborhood for nearly two decades.
“Coming from a family of CID small business owners, I know how important the Chinatown-International District Night Market is to our community,” said Seattle Citywide Councilmember Tanya Woo. “That’s why I am so excited by this support to ensure it continues. My hope is that this funding will allow for the Night Market to endure for generations to come.”
“The market, while celebrating culture and community, also serves as an important fundraiser for the critical work we do year-round to support those that live and work in our neighborhood—including our more than 400 small businesses. We look forward to welcoming visitors back to the Night Market this September to enjoy all that the CID has to offer,” said Monisha Singh, executive director of the CID Business Improvement Area.
Ongoing challenges: Despite reported decreases in crime last year, Seattle’s CID continues to face challenges in regaining pre-pandemic visitor numbers. Business owners cite ongoing difficulties with rising costs and staffing shortages. The community believes that hosting significant events, such as the Night Market, can contribute to the area’s recovery and dispel any lingering stigmas.
While no specific date has been set for this year’s Night Market, organizers are currently inviting people to participate in the CID’s Lunar New Year Celebration on Feb. 24, which will feature vendors, dance and music performances.
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