Using Tourism as a Tool for Survival

Grant Ave is known for the Chinatown Gate and numerous gift shops. It serves as a connection between Union Square and North Beach, both heavily visited by tourists. After hearing from Malcolm Collier about how businesses have changed throughout the decades, I was ready to go outside and see the shops for myself. We visited the Wok Shop, the Kite Shop, and Kim + Ono. The Wok Shop’s owner actually came outside to talk to us about her store. Her son who works for the tech industry actually helped her set up a website to boost business. Most businesses in Chinatown are old-schooled and do not have an online presence. Kim + Ono on the other hand actually started off as an online retailer. They were doing well with sales online and decided to open their first brick and mortar store down the street from their parents’ shop, the Canton Bazaar. 

The scavenger hunt was a fun activity to do after sitting for the entire morning. Going through the parks and alleyways made me feel like a tourist because we had to look for murals and signs. I would say it was a good team building activity because I did not know my group mates before the scavenger hunt. 

​- Maggie Dong