On Mother’s Day, May 11, Brooklyn City Council Member Wenyi Zhuang held a street naming ceremony in Bensonhurst to commemorate the well-respected Chinese pioneer Lai Wan (Mary) Chin. The ceremony took place at the intersection of 20th Avenue and 84th Street, precisely where Chin’s self-service laundromat had been operating for half a century. Friends, neighbors, and residents gathered on the street to remember this extraordinary woman who turned a laundromat into a community hub.
“Before these resources existed, her laundromat served as a translation service station, a referral center, and the heart of the community,” said Chin’s daughter, Susan Chin.
Nearly 50 years ago, Chin and her husband established “Chin’s Laundromat” in Bensonhurst. As a recent immigrant from Hong Kong to a predominantly Italian-American neighborhood, she did not speak English fluently but actively learned and participated in ESL programs, assisting other new immigrants. Over the years, she not only provided laundry services but also helped fill out forms, referred people to lawyers and doctors, provided Chinese medicine and life advice, all selflessly dedicating herself and becoming a pillar of support for many.
Council Member Wenyi Zhuang expressed during the ceremony, “Although Ms. Chin passed away in 2020, the legacy she left behind will forever live in our hearts. She was the core of her family, the backbone of the community, and a role model for countless Asian-American families.”
She pointed out, “Ms. Chin helped others settle, find resources, and jobs. Her immigrant success story is not just the story of Asian Americans but a microcosm of all American immigrants. The United States is built on these stories.”
Ross Brady, Chin’s son-in-law and Vice Chair of the Brooklyn Community Board 11, described Chin as one of the earliest Chinese-Americans in Bensonhurst. He said, “She is a symbol of this community, embodying her struggles, dreams, and achievements. She took pride in becoming a U.S. citizen while maintaining Chinese cultural traditions, striving to create a better life for the next generation.”
He recalled, “Chin’s Laundromat was like a community center. People would come to her to ask about available apartments, good doctors, effective ointments. She was outspoken, sometimes stern, sometimes humorous, but always willing to help.”
He emotionally added, “She was strong, fair, resilient, and straightforward. I remember her often saying, ‘Don’t pee on my head and tell me it’s raining.’ In her own way, she set an example for children and the entire community, teaching not to listen to nonsense, not to make excuses, to be steadfast, brave, and fight – just like the Bensonhurst community, just like the American spirit.”
Bruno Procopio, a loyal customer of Chin’s Laundromat who has lived in Bensonhurst for over 60 years, shared his first visit experience, where he bombarded Chin with questions about the laundry process. She interrupted him, saying, “You ask too many! I will wash, dry, and fold your clothes, they will smell nice, come back in three hours to pick them up.” He jokingly admitted feeling like a scolded schoolboy and followed her instructions obediently.
He also recalled a time when he was sick and went to see a doctor, and Chin immediately expressed concern about his condition, insisting on applying medicated oil, not taking no for an answer. During the pandemic, when he contracted the virus and was afraid to go out, he messaged Susan for help to retrieve his clothes. Upon learning about this, Chin not only delivered them but also asked him to list food and daily necessities, personally purchasing and delivering them to his doorstep.
“This is what Chin means to me – a loving, compassionate, modest, genuine, unpretentious mother and friend,” Bruno said. From an Italian-American-centered community to today’s diverse and inclusive Bensonhurst, “Chin’s Laundromat is like our community’s barbershop. People gather here to converse, wait for their clothes, and respect each other – regardless of ethnicity, religion, nationality, or political stance. She created such a friendly atmosphere that continues to this day.”
After a series of touching memories and speeches, Chin’s family and residents jointly witnessed the unveiling of “Lai Wan (Mary) Chin Way” street sign. This street not only commemorates a mother and a business owner but also a history of immigrant struggles, contributions, and perseverance.
“Continuing Mary Chin’s spirit is our deepest tribute to her, and working persistently for the community is our shared responsibility,” Wenyi Zhuang stated.