Owner of Chinatown Ice Cream Factory CICF | Christina Seid | Talks at Google | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Christina Seid shares the story of Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, from its humble beginnings to its iconic status in New York City, highlighting the challenges faced and the importance of community involvement.

Key Insights

• 🇮🇸 Chinatown Ice Cream Factory has been a part of the New York City community for nearly four decades, offering unique and authentic flavors.
• 👅 The shop's success is attributed to its ability to adapt to changing tastes and demographics in Chinatown.
• ❓ Christina Seid emphasizes the importance of community involvement and political engagement within the Asian population.
• 🍦 The shop's flavors, including the popular durian ice cream, reflect the diverse cultures and tastes of Chinatown.

Transcript

ETHAN ZOU: Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to "Talks at Google." My name is Ethan Zou. I'm a member of the engineering staffing team here in New York City. So in celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Asian Google Network has partnered with "Talks at Google" to invite Christina Seid who is the owner of the Chinatown Ic... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Chinatown Ice Cream Factory evolve as Chinatown evolved?

As Chinatown changed and became safer, the ice cream shop saw a shift in customer preferences. There was a greater interest in trying American flavors, even among traditional Chinese customers. The shop became a gateway for introducing different cultures through food.

Q: What advice do you have for budding entrepreneurs in the food industry in New York City?

It is important to create a product that people genuinely love, rather than chasing trends. The emphasis should be on making high-quality, palatable food that keeps customers coming back.

Q: Are there any plans to open more locations of Chinatown Ice Cream Factory?

While there have been requests for franchises and partnerships, Christina prefers to maintain the integrity of the original store. She wants to focus on quality and the organic growth of the business.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, a landmark in New York City, has been serving unique and authentic flavors for 39 years.

• Christina Seid, the owner, discusses the history of the store and how her father started it as a trendy ice cream shop with Asian flavors.

• She shares her personal journey of growing up working in the store and eventually taking over as co-owner, balancing her role with being a teacher.

• Seid reflects on the challenges her family faced, including dealing with gangs in Chinatown, and the changing dynamics of the neighborhood.

• She emphasizes the importance of community involvement and the need for the Asian population to be more politically engaged.