Posted by This past March, I had the honor of hosting the very first Atlanta Chinatown Market – a growing community event founded by local artist and creative Andrew Blooms in partnership with the historic Atlanta Chinatown in Chamblee, Georgia.
It was an incredible afternoon filled with Asian food, music, art, and meaningful conversation. As someone who’s passionate about food and community here in Atlanta, I was genuinely excited to be part of this effort to uplift Asian culture in such a vibrant, welcoming way.
(Most photos in this post are by @fulanigjabri, who beautifully captured the market.)
So, what’s Atlanta Chinatown Market?
The Atlanta Chinatown Market is a community event held inside the historic Atlanta Chinatown in Chamblee — featuring Asian food, art, music, and local vendors. It’s designed to bring new life to this cultural hub while honoring its history.
If you’ve never been, Atlanta’s Chinatown is tucked off Buford Highway and has been around as long as I can remember (I moved here in 1989!). I grew up spending every Saturday there — going to Chinese school, learning traditional Chinese dance, eating lunch at the food court, and hanging out with friends while my mom taught Chinese watercolor classes. I even performed in plays and music showcases in the Chinese Cultural Center behind Chinatown.
For folks who grew up in the area, it’s a place with deep cultural significance — from Chinese bakeries and dim sum spots to Dinho Chinese Supermarket and the nostalgic weekend routines many of us remember.
That’s exactly what Andrew Blooms is working to honor and reimagine. He’s a Taiwanese-American artist, designer, and musician who started the Atlanta Chinatown Market to help revitalize this space through community-centered events. Andrew now runs two Blooms Emporium locations — one at Ponce City Market, and one at Atlanta Chinatown, home to the new Blooms Emporium Chinatown Arts Center.
Hosting the First Event
Back in March, I got to be part of this market in a very special way — as the host of its very first event.
When Andrew reached out and asked me to host, I was like… uhh YES?! I was honored, thrilled, and honestly just really hyped.
I got to welcome everyone, introduce the performers and vendors, and share a little bit about why this space is so important — not just to me, but to the Asian community here in Atlanta.
And let’s be real — it was also just so fun seeing everyone out and about, eating snacks, chatting with artists, and reconnecting with Chinatown in a whole new way.
There was such a mix of people — from longtime community members to folks visiting for the first time. It felt super special.
What Made it Awesome
One of the perks of hosting this event inside Atlanta’s Chinatown Mall was being surrounded by all that amazing food from longtime staples in the food court — like Cantonese BBQ, spicy Sichuan dishes, tasty noodle bowls, and more.
And here’s the thing: that food is there every day. So even if it’s not market day, you can still enjoy a great meal there.
The market itself added even more — a full lineup of local artists, creatives, and vendors selling everything from original art prints and jewelry to crafts and handmade goods.
There was also live painting happening during the event, including work by Andrew Blooms himself — blending art and performance in a really engaging way. We also had @perlizbeth_ creating vibrant, expressive pieces right on-site, adding even more color and energy to the market. Watching both artists bring their work to life in real time gave the event such a dynamic, creative vibe.
There was also live T-shirt screen printing happening on-site by Sean Wuzy, a local print studio based in Atlanta. You could literally pick a design (ex: Dragon, Tiger or Koi – I got the Koi!) and watch your shirt get made right there – it was such a cool way to take home a piece of the event.
Add in the music with live DJs, the conversations, and that buzz of community energy, and the space just felt alive in a whole new way.
It wasn’t just a market. It was a moment – bringing people together to celebrate culture, creativity, and connection in a place that really matters.
What’s Happened Since
The market I hosted in March was a daytime event. Since then, it’s grown into a monthly summer night market — held in June, July, and with the next one coming up on Saturday, August 30, 2025. The night market brings even more of those nostalgic Asian street market vibes, with glowing lights, bustling crowds, and vendors running late into the evening.
In July, during the Night Market, Andrew officially opened the Blooms Emporium Chinatown Arts Center — the neighborhood’s first art center and gallery. It now offers weekly programs for all ages, from figure drawing and clay to anime painting, photography, and dance. You can check out the full class schedule at bloomsemporium.com.
Want to experience it?
The next Chinatown Night Market is Saturday, August 30, 6–10 PM. You’ll find food, art, music, and community all in one place — plus a chance to explore the new Blooms Emporium Chinatown Arts Center while you’re there.
Follow @blooms.emporium on Instagram for upcoming dates and details, and keep an eye on AsianFoodAtlanta.com for more recaps and local food culture coverage.
Hope to see you at the next one! ✨
Photos by @fulanigjabri — thank you for capturing the energy of the market!