On the evening of June 4th, Mayor Michelle Wu of Boston presented the second annual “Legacy Business Award,” honoring local businesses that have been operating for over 10 years. Among the 30 award recipients, Meisum Bakery in Boston’s Chinatown was recognized as the only Chinese-owned business.
According to the Boston city government website, the second edition of the “Legacy Business Award” received a total of 1,561 nominations involving 326 businesses. The 30 selected businesses, representing 19 different neighborhoods in the city, have a cumulative operating history of 1,281 years. Chinatown businesses have been recipients for two consecutive years – last year, it was Winsor Dim Sum, and this year it is Meisum Bakery located on Beach Street.
On Tuesday evening at the Calderwood Pavilion, Mayor Michelle Wu, Small Business Director Aliesha Porcena, Secretary of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Segun Idowu, and Boston Main Streets Foundation Executive Director Eric Esteves, among other officials, presented awards to the selected “legacy businesses.” These businesses span various industries such as clothing, food, housing, and transportation, with operating years ranging from over 10 to over 100 in Boston.
The owner of Meisum Bakery, Mr. Li, shared with a smile that he has been running his sole proprietorship in Chinatown for nearly 40 years. He mentioned that business was indeed challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic but they managed to overcome it. Mr. Li expressed his intention to continue operating his business as usual in the coming years.
Representative Aaron Michlewitz, who represents the Chinatown area in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, congratulated Mr. Li in person. He praised Meisum Bakery as a fantastic small business in Chinatown and expressed his hopes for their continued prosperity.
According to Esteves, this year’s award-winning businesses will not only receive promotional support but also three benefits:
1. Personalized business health assessment;
2. Up to 10 hours of personalized business coaching based on assessment results;
3. A grant of $30,000 to enhance their sustainable business capabilities.
Mayor Wu also commended and encouraged the awardees present at the event. “This legacy business initiative is one of my favorite government affairs to participate in because you are truly the heart and soul of our community and neighborhoods,” remarked Mayor Wu.
For the list of 2024 awardees, please visit: [Boston Legacy Business Program](https://www.boston.gov/government/cabinets/economic-opportunity-and-inclusion/legacy-business-program).