
This article was written on special assignment for the Art Beat blog through the TeenTix Press Corps, a teen arts journalism program run by TeenTix, a youth empowerment and arts access nonprofit organization. Read their other Art Beat articles here.
By TeenTix Newsroom Writer Kaylee Yu
I—like many other Seattle-raised, wonton-noodle-soup-loving, Asian-American kids—have strong memories of Chinatown. I remember post-church dim sum with my family, buying fish sauce and instant ramen in Uwajimaya, and adoring the district where my culture was represented and loved. But I also remember Chinatown during COVID-19: broken and boarded-up windows, stigma and violence. This past year, the Chinatown International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA) has made leaps and bounds in revitalizing Chinatown—and, in an interview with Communications and Marketing Coordinator Gina Chaleunphonh, I was lucky enough to learn the how and the why.
Sitting down with Chaleunphonh, I was immediately struck by her warmth. Her passion for the Chinatown International District was apparent in the way she spoke of the community and its rich history. A Seattle native, Chaleunphonh plans events such as the CID Night Market and Lunar New Year Festival, and also runs the CIDBIA’s social media and newsletter. She was the perfect person for me to talk to.
The CIDBIA is a key player in downtown Seattle. In Gina’s words: “We promote and improve Chinatown as a welcoming, clean, and safe neighborhood through sanitation coordination, public safety coordination, and marketing and events, as well as advocating for [the district’s] quality of life issues.”
Like every efficient MVP, the CIDBIA works quietly. However, you may have seen their name headlined in local news over the past few months due to the post-hiatus return of the CID Night Market–a much-loved and long running festival, celebrating over 15 years of good food and community-building. With over 100 vendors, from small businesses to arts and crafts to nonprofits, it’s no small feat to put together, or to finance.
Yu: “The CID Night Market’s return has been eagerly anticipated. It’s made a big splash! Lots of headlines. How have you felt, preparing for such a beloved event to come back?”
Chaleunphonh: “I started at the BIA this year, so coming into this role and knowing that this was the first big event that I was going to plan and also knowing that it was on hiatus last year—I definitely did feel some pressure. There were high expectations of myself and our organization to produce an event that not only did visitors really enjoy, but one that supported our small businesses as well. And so prepping for it was a lot of work. But it was also a lot of fun, because there was a lot of excitement around the event! Like you mentioned, seeing the headlines: we got a lot of support from Amazon, our presenting sponsor in terms of getting our event in front of newscasters and reporters. Having our event on the news in that capacity has never happened before. But also among the business owners in the CID—and in general! People were excited that this event was coming back and that more visitors are coming in.”
And excite it did! This year’s CID Night Market was the largest so far, and it’s secured its spot as a Seattle fall staple. With such resounding success, the CIDBIA continues to look forward. Their next event is an all-day Lunar New Year Celebration on February 22, 2025. From lion dances that enchant and frighten to firecracker displays, the Lunar New Year Celebration has always been an incredible opportunity to engage in free arts and culture (looking at you, TeenTix pass holders!) This year, there’s even more to see.

Yu: “I know that I’m going to be at the Lunar Celebration! It’s going to be a really good time. Is there anything with the upcoming Lunar New Year that you think is going to be different from years prior, or is there anything in particular that you’re planning or excited for?”
Chaleunphonh: “For this Lunar New Year we’re hoping to have a Food Walk as part of the event. We usually have our food walks in the summers, and they’re basically a self-guided food tour of the neighborhood. We’ll have a tent in Hing Hay Park and visitors will come in and grab a printed map of participating businesses. Then they walk around, try new foods and also visit other retail businesses. Whatever businesses you go to, you pay the business directly when you get there. Our map is for the businesses that may have special menu items just for that day that they might not have [usually].”
One of the main draws of Chinatown has always been the food. For Asian-Americans, food is the way we connect, and being able to share our food and culture through events like the Night Market—events that bolster the community and the small business owners in the area—are invaluable. Speaking of those small businesses, the slate for Lunar New Year vendors is already completely full! Skimming the list of participating organizations, I was able to pick out some of my favorite AAPI businesses from the area.
Yu: “I was looking at the list of vendors for both the Night Market, and Lunar New Year, and it was really exciting! As you continue to plan events platforming AAPI business owners and bringing this culture in, what are your hopes for them: for the community, for Chinatown and for the business owners?”
Chaleunphonh: “My hope for these events in the future is that more visitors are able to come into the neighborhood. Not just local visitors, but also bringing in people from out of town to showcase our neighborhood. Because it’s a very special part of Seattle’s history, and it’s definitely a part that some people don’t know about, or they haven’t really explored. Maybe it’s because they’re not sure what to expect, or maybe they just don’t have people to go with and they don’t want to go alone. So my hope for these events in the future is to showcase the neighborhood, showcase our businesses and all the hard work that they put into running their business. And also just show that it’s a fun time. Yeah, it’s a really good time!”
Yu: “For sure, I’m so excited to keep exploring all that Chinatown is! Is there anything that you would like to speak on when it comes to the CIDBIA? Anything that you would like to say to teenagers who are curious about what Chinatown has to offer?”
Chaleunphonh: “I’m from Seattle. I was born and raised here, and growing up, (especially in high school), I went to the CID a lot with my friends and family just to eat food and go to the [Wing Luke] Museum and walk around. I would always go to Dim Sum with my grandparents as well. It’s a very special place to me. It really shaped my view of the world growing up, especially through seeing the history, and the murals, and the museum, and going into different businesses… I think, especially for teens, it’s important to learn more about our local history…I’d encourage teens to come visit the CID to not only enjoy good food—because that’s always good, and we have a lot of it—but also learn about local history, and explore that part of Seattle. It’s really cool.”
That’s really the bottom line of the revitalization effort. The Chinatown International District is alive: it’s full of memories, food, history, and above all, community. That keyword—community—is what we’re all looking for. It’s the beating heart of the CID, the passion that drives the CIDBIA’s work. However you choose to engage with the CID: whether you volunteer your skill in photography, or sign up for a neighborhood cleanup; whether you bring your family to LNY 2025 or to go for boba with friends; I hope you can find that connection.
Like Chaleunphonh said as she signed off: “The main thing, the one that anyone can do: hang out, and support.”