Flushing's Beloved Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao Closes Permanently

FLUSHING, QUEENS — Beloved Flushing eatery Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao has closed permanently.

Owner Tai Ma closed his popular soup dumpling destination at the beginning of May under pressure from rising rents, the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce's John Choe told Patch.

Ma was also losing workers thanks to an increase in the minimum wage, according to Choe —workers found they were earning too much to qualify for public benefits they'd previously received. The city's minimum wage rose to $15 an hour last year for businesses with at least 11 employees.

Ma did not respond to a phone call requesting comment.

"It's one of the most popular restaurants in Flushing, and when I heard he closed it, I was shocked," Choe said. "If this happened to one of the most popular restaurants in Flushing, what does it mean for the rest of the businesses in Flushing?"

News of the closing, announced on social media by the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, drew outrage from hundreds of past customers.

"Where am I supposed to get soup dumplings that are just as good?!" someone asked.

"My soul is destroyed," one woman wrote.

"There goes my childhood," another commenter said.

We ran into Mr. Ma, the owner of Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bai, on the street and he tearfully told us the restaurant is now closed for good. https://t.co/d1R7rc8Bg2 pic.twitter.com/RQjQnUlSCQ
— Greater Flushing (@GreaterFlushing) May 3, 2019

The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce is looking for ways to help Ma and other small business owners cope with exorbitant rents in the neighborhood.

"Some of these restaurants are paying up to 50,000 dollars a month in rent," Choe said.

Even a food court stall can cost a business owner $10,000 a month in rent, Choe added.

"It's a huge risk."