8th Avenue Here v. There
From Decoding New York
While in Manhattan, Chinatown attracts tourists from all over, 8th avenue has a much more subdued tourist environment. Here, you will find tourist oriented stores far and few between. The few non-Chinese in the area tend to be locals as well, shopping for groceries or other related tasks.
8th avenue is interesting in that it stems not only from immigrants moving from China, but also from Canal Street. As a result, the idea of "Here vs. There" is in fact referencing two different places of origin: the old country, as well as that of its predecessor. The series of vans that shuttle in between Canal Street and 8th Avenue showcase the strong connection between the two areas. These vans allow many residents of either area to commute to work or visit family in the other region, bridging the relatively large distance between the two.
