The Queens Night Market is one of New York City’s most beloved institutions — but it was never supposed to last more than a year.
John Wang, founder of the Queens Night Market, joins Infinite Loops to explain how a side project with a “terrible business model” unexpectedly became one of the most celebrated food markets in the world. From leaving a traditional legal career to imposing a strict price cap in one of the most expensive cities on earth, John shares how the market evolved into a cultural institution representing more than 100 countries through food.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
3:10 John Wang’s early life and leaving the traditional path
11:40 The idea that became the Queens Night Market
17:05 Why the night market “shouldn’t work”
22:45 The $5–$6 price cap and affordability in New York
29:30 Redefining success for small business owners
38:20 The worst business model ever
47:10 How the market became a global destination
56:45 Building an institution
