How Koreatown quietly drives Howard County business, tourism

Joy Sim came to America nine years ago from Korea with just $10,000 — enough to buy a car — and a dream of owning a clothing store. She opened a business on a busy five-mile stretch of Baltimore National Pike in Ellicott City in an area already popular with Korean-owned mom-and-pop shops. Since then, more and more have opened, with international Korean franchises joining the mix. Over 150 Korean-owned businesses are located along the major highway in Howard County.