[Napalm Frog]

The key will be to focus on the younger generation, eg, the students in the neighbourhood. I'm curious as to how things will start to shift. For example, Taiwanese places have been popping up in the Yonge-Wellesley area, followed by mainland Chinese noodles places.

The day of authentic Chinese coming out of dingy places is dying, especially as the affluent younger generation come in. There's a video series that started covering this that seems interesting,

 

[AlbertC]

Good article about the former Chinatown restaurant, Kom Jug Yuen:

Kom Jug: Remembering a Chinatown Institution

"Kom Jug was a big part of late nights in my twenties. Open until 4 a.m., it was my first stop after last call and it was always an experience. "

Redirecting…

 

[someMidTowner]

The Hsin Kuang Building goes from "cursed" to soulless:

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

The Hsin Kuang Building goes from "cursed" to soulless:

It felt like a stepping stone to eventual demolition/redevelopment.

AoD

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Good article about the former Chinatown restaurant, Kom Jug Yuen:

Kom Jug: Remembering a Chinatown Institution

"Kom Jug was a big part of late nights in my twenties. Open until 4 a.m., it was my first stop after last call and it was always an experience. "

Redirecting…

Thanks for posting that - I have never ate at Kom Jug Yuen but have done so at Yip's - didn't realize the backstory!

AoD

 

[AlbertC]

‘It’s a place where you connect with your culture': Toronto's Chinatown has become more mixed in its demographics and businesses than ever before

By Nicholas Keung Immigration Reporter
Sun., Aug. 25, 2019

‘It’s a place where you connect with your culture': Toronto's Chinatown has become more mixed in its demographics and businesses than ever before

Although Chinatown, centred at Dundas St. W. and Spadina Ave., is still dotted with many Chinese signs, the neighbourhood has become more mixed in its...

www.thestar.com

 

[AlbertC]

The Star with a piece on Furama Bakery, which is closing at the end of the month after more than 30 years here:

Beloved Chinatown bakery Furama to close its doors after more than 30 years in Toronto

In addition to serving pineapple buns and egg tarts, the bakery, at 248 Spadina Ave., was a welcoming meeting space for many.

www.thestar.com

 

[AlbertC]

What the closing of Furama bakery means for Chinatown

Community members reflect on the local landmark as a beacon in a changing neighbourhood

Sep 29, 2020

What the closing of Furama bakery means for Toronto's Chinatown

Chinatown mainstay Furama Cakes and Desserts Garden is closing after three decades of preparing delectable traditional Chinese desserts.

nowtoronto.com

 

[AlbertC]

A couple articles on the Tap Phong kitchen accessories and housewares store at 360 Spadina Ave:

Tap Phong, Part 1: The "Collection or the Best of Everything" — ONE OF EVERYTHING

For over 30 years and across 3 generations, Tap Phong has remained an iconic institution in the food service industry, and a true pillar to their community. The Tran family’s journey is a shining example of the immigrant experience - one that is rooted in survival through grit, owing its humble rise

oneofeverything.ca

Tap Phong Part 2: An Enduring Labour of Love — ONE OF EVERYTHING

“I just remember grandma had a couple of odd jobs, but she was basically my second mother. [She] raised me, my brothers, and my cousins, cooked all the family meals, while my grandfather, Mom and Dad, aunt and uncle were working jobs. They were working sometimes two or three jobs, opened Tap Phong..

oneofeverything.ca

 

[AlbertC]

"Hong Kong Island Dim Sum House (and Bakery)" is opening up at 248 Spadina Ave, the former location of where Furama Bakery used to be. The HK place was originally further up on Spadina near St. Andrew St, and then moved to a unit on Dundas just east of Spadina around March of this year, before making the latest move now.

 

[AlbertC]

 

[AlbertC]

Article on the former Yung Sing bakery on Baldwin Street that closed over a decade ago:

Why Chinese bakery Yung Sing is one of the most fondly remembered in Toronto

One of the Chinese bakeries Toronto is fondest of has actually been closed for quite a while, but the memories of it are still influencing people b...

www.blogto.com

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Article on the former Yung Sing bakery on Baldwin Street that closed over a decade ago:

Why Chinese bakery Yung Sing is one of the most fondly remembered in Toronto

One of the Chinese bakeries Toronto is fondest of has actually been closed for quite a while, but the memories of it are still influencing people b...

www.blogto.com

Didn't realize they published a cookbook - would love to pick up a copy. It's so odd that the place is still abandoned as is -guess the family still don't know what to do with the property?

AoD

 

[AlbertC]

Didn't realize they published a cookbook - would love to pick up a copy. It's so odd that the place is still abandoned as is -guess the family still don't know what to do with the property?

AoD

Strange indeed, especially the retail unit is located in a pretty popular street for eateries especially with students. So there should be demand for buying or leasing it.

This article from 2018 does give some info on possible reasons:

There are rumours being passed around neighbours that a siblings' feud is what's causing the store's stagnant state, but members of the Ko family – who own Yung Sing's building as well as a number of residential properties in the area – remain elusive.

Next-door establishments claim that renovations are still on the horizon for the abandoned lot, with intentions of eventually renting out the coveted space to a new business.

When – and if – that happens has yet to be seen: at this point the only thing we can bet on is that Yung Sing's pastries are a thing of the past.

Yung Sing Pastry shop still vacant after all these years

When Yung Sing Pastry Shop closed its doors for "major renovations" in November 2009, a sign in the window promised to re-open the follow...

www.blogto.com

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Strange indeed, especially the retail unit is located in a pretty popular street for eateries especially with students. So there should be demand for buying or leasing it.

This article from 2018 does give some info on possible reasons:

Yung Sing Pastry shop still vacant after all these years

When Yung Sing Pastry Shop closed its doors for "major renovations" in November 2009, a sign in the window promised to re-open the follow...

www.blogto.com

Yeah, I remember seeing the son (??) of the proprietors behind the counter years ago - I think he was a U of T student at the time. Guess they unsurprisingly couldn't find anyone in the family to adopt the business.

AoD