Stan Karr Yeung founded Daikoku NYC in 2022 to build a platform where automotive culture could encourage community and cultural exchange in New York City. The organization, named after legendary Tokyo meets, started with low attendance but has grown into a prominent presence in the city’s car scene. Yeung, who grew up in Queens and has strong ties to Manhattan’s Chinatown, sought a community that reflected his values of inclusion and respect.
Chinatown Night Out
Yeung realized that occupying parking lots was not sustainable and looked for a way to help his neighborhood. He found that businesses in the Forsyth Plaza and East Broadway area were struggling due to rising crime and a lack of foot traffic. Rather than moving away, the group chose to occupy that specific area.
Daikoku NYC events, such as the Chinatown Night Out, aim to revitalize the neighborhood by bringing people to streets that are usually quiet at night. The organizers work with the community board, the Chinatown Business Improvement District, and the NYPD to ensure safety and support local businesses. Yeung emphasized that the group does not take a percentage of the profits from these businesses and keeps all events free for attendees.
Participating in the New York City Lunar New Year Parade in March, Daikoku NYC provided more than 120 vehicles for the procession. The cars were shut off and parked in an orderly fashion, reflecting the group’s philosophy of respect. The vehicles, many with battle scars from urban life, symbolize the dedication required to maintain a car in the city.
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For enthusiasts in New York, finding a place to work on a car is a constant challenge. Most owners rely on makeshift setups on the street, which can be dangerous. Yeung envisions a permanent community center where members can learn maintenance and creative skills in a safe environment.
The organization is currently a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is exploring ways to fund its operations without relying on small businesses or charging entry fees. Yeung believes that culture is documented by photographers and videographers just as much as the cars themselves, so the group aims to support its creative members.
A Permanent Space
Daikoku NYC officially became a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 2025. Yeung credits the team members for helping make this happen. The organization handles government offices to figure out how to run events with the city, moving from simple meetups to complex operations.