many chinese, and it had its roots in the american gold rush. in the late 1800s chinese immigrants who helped build american railroads flocked west along with pioneers and prospectors seeking their fortune. their stories helped brand america the land of opportunity. so grandfather thought he would come to america and strike gold. right. what actually happened? well, he moved the family out to california in the late 40s. the only job he was offered was plucking chickens for 50 cents an hour. and my mother said, you will not do that. so he just had to strike out on his own. like so many chinese immigrants, my grandfather started a family restaurant called hop sing eat shop. it was a typical chinese-american restaurant.
Your Letters: Jan. 29, 2021
Reader Submissions
Old downtown
Memories of a bustling business district in downtown Victorville came flooding back as I read in the Jan. 22 edition of yet another fire-damaged building on Seventh Street being demolished and disappearing as if it were never there.
In the early 1970s, my husband, Jim, and I opened the first bicycle store in the valley on lower Seventh. We were surrounded by full-of-life enterprises that still bring thoughts of sunshine to mind. The Downtown Café, Jantz Jewelers, Lee s Chinese-American Restaurant, Powell s Appliances, Cotton s TV (who could forget Pinky Cotton?), Layne s Women s Apparel, Western Outdoor Hardware, Victorville Chamber of Commerce. The list is long and nostalgic. Around the corner, on D Street, was Cal s Pawn Shop. Does anyone remember seeing Neil Diamond in “The Jazz Singer” walk past there and look in the windows?
right. what actually happened? well, he moved the family out to california in the late 40s. the only job he was offered was plucking chickens for 50 cents an hour. and my mother said, you will not do that. so he just had to strike out on his own. like so many chinese immigrants, my grandfather started a family restaurant called hop sing eat shop. it was a typical chinese-american restaurant. i can still remember the menu from 1955. you know, $1.25 for four shrimp, a scoop of fried rice and some chow mein. here s my daddy in the restaurant. my father grew up working in the family business. how old do you think he was here? my guess is 16. i don t remember him smiling a