Thursday, December 4, 2008

Local Chinese Markets Thrive in Asian Communities



By Stephanie Rubenstein

CHINATOWN – Haiyun and her son shuffled into Chung Wah Hong Market, a local Chinese grocery store, bracing themselves from the cold wind. They went through shelves of specialty products, from dried squid to ginger root, searching for food for their family dinner.

“I’ve been coming here for 10 years,” said Haiyun Wong, 32, originally from China. “I know the food here, and it’s just more comfortable here.”

As the influx of Asian immigrants to Boston continues to grow as Massachusetts’ second highest immigrant group, many of the neighborhood’s grocery stores and food markets are noticing both new and loyal customers, who come to the specialty stores to buy familiar products.

Immigrants account for 11.7 percent of the state’s population, more than one in 10 residents, according to the 2005 demographics listed on the Office of New Bostonians’ website.

Haiyun’s son Steven said that it made a difference that Chung Wah Hong Market was Chinese owned, and offered products more recognizable to immigrants from Asian countries.

The store has been in the community for over 40 years, where locals have always gone to buy their favorite foods from home, said Gloria Chin, 17, the owner’s daughter.

“It’s a legacy, a tradition,” she said of the store. “People grew up coming here, and even when the prices are not as comparable to other Asian markets, they are still loyal to the store.”

Chin grew up working in the store, and has watched it transform over the years. The store began with only one cash register, and has since expanded to three. Lottery tickets and phone cards are also new products that are offered.

The store also sends Money Grams, which are money orders sent directly to China. The market completes the most transactions to China in the city of Boston, Chin said.

“I like the Money Gram service,” said Saio Ho, 48, who is from China and has lived in the Chinatown community for seven years. “I send money to relatives and friends in China, especially during the Chinese New Year.”

Ho said she continues to shop at the market because it is has Chinese products in a convenient location from her home in the neighborhood.

Unlike the other customers, Benjamin Yang, 63, said he was simply passing by and the location is what drew him into the store. He is originally from China, but said that had no bearing on his shopping at the market.

There are several other popular Chinese groceries in the Chinatown area; with C Mart and See Sun Market both located only blocks away from the center of town.

Lily Yee, 70, runs See Sun Market, which has been in her family for two generations. Her grandfather opened the store more than 55 years ago, in order to establish a business, make money and start a life in a new country.

Locals continue shopping at the store, she said, because of its products and familiarity.

“Chinese people like Chinese food,” Yee said. “It’s as simple as that.”

No comments: