SF Chinatown's Grant Avenue--revival?
 

Hi all,

I've been in Chinatown a few times recently, and I'm seeing changes on Grant. There seem to be a ton of new stores that have surprisingly nice housewares, a bit like a Chinese-influenced Pottery Barn. While many of the old, kitchy souvenir shops are still around, some have been refurbished and it looks like the next generation has taken over. Red Blossom Tea, for example (which I'm pretty sure has been around forever) is now a lovely zen-looking place run by a thirtysomething brother and sister team, the kids of the owners (I think). There are a bunch of stores that seem to be a minichain---I think I saw three or four on Grant alone---called Asian Image or Asian Style selling cool-looking lamps, pillows, etc. And the old Shanghai Bazaar (or one of those Bazaars) had really colorful, trendy-looking housewares and even some silk clothes I wouldn't mind having.

I think the biggest change is in the younger people running the places. I've been to so many places in Chinatown where communication was only possible by pointing and gesturing, but a lot of these young people are born and raised here, making shopping a lot easier and no less authentic-feeling.

I know everyone says this stretch of Chinatown is horrible and touristy, and while it still seems touristy, I was surprised by how much I found that I honestly liked. Has anyone else noticed a change afoot here?

I haven't been in Chinatown in a year or so. So I'm interested in going back there soon based on your post. :-)

Hey trippinkpj,

I'll be curious to hear what you think. I didn't find any place I wanted to eat there, but I wandered into one of the joss paper stores (not on Grant, on Ross Alley, I think), which I love, and the twentysomething son of the owner talked to me for about 20 minutes, telling me what all those papers are for, who uses them and how, and all kinds of wonderful info I'd never known. Just a really different vibe in Chinatown!

I realize I didn't include San Francisco in my post, and I don't know how to search posts other than that, so I've added it now. : )

The LATimes just did a really good "insiders tour of Chinatown" in today's (Sunday March 25) travel section.
http://travel.latimes.com/articles/l...inatown25mar25

travisblue, that's exactly what I'm talking about! Peter and Alice, those are the kids at Red Blossom. I can't believe how timely that article is. How about that!

I imagine visitors are going to find out much sooner than locals that things are changing down there. So many locals avoid Chinatown because they already know what it's like. I'll look forward to hearing from others in town what they think of Grant (and Chinatown) these days.

Avoid the tourists, shop where Asians shop: lower Richmond. Clement Street, starting around 10th or so. Like Chinatown used to be long ago and far away...:)

Ummm... it's probably from 10th ave down... or from 1st (Arguello) and up.

Thanks for the clarification, Faina. I usually am coming from 25th & Clement, so I think of it as "starting" at 10th.

My favorite bedding store is there, on Clement @ 11th. Inexpensive, large selection.

On 7th is Bargain Bank - imported wines at the close-out prices. Cheaper than anywhere else!

I think I know that bedding store, but haven't visited. Will do so next time.

My favorite store <i>name</i> there is &quot;Cheaper than Cheaper.&quot; And their motto:
&quot;Smile, you're saving a lot of money here!&quot; God, I love that!

I live about 30 minutes from SF and my 13 year old son loves to go there and load up on smoke bombs, poppers and sparklers. He also loves to look at all the martial arts weapons and yes I have noticed the change in China town recently. I shopped with my mom there on Thanksgiving weekend and found many stores I really enjoyed. We do have a favorite hole in the wall Tea House we go to called Hang Ah Tea House (Between Grant &amp; Stockton off Sacramento on 1 Pagda way) , it has the best DIM SUM served until 3:30 everyday!! It is not high end but it is so perfectly China Town with it's red and orange interior and pictures of Miss China Towns dating back to the 1950&quot;s on the walls.

Yes, Grant is changing! I walked a part of it yesterday, more shops with new signs, more tourist-oriented, more contemporary-looking.

But it's still the area for bargain-hunters, and I found a rolling carry-on for $25!

So glad to hear. I am making my first trip in some years to SF next week. Hang Ah--I found it in some guidebook 20 years ago and it became one of our usual stops. Glad to hear it is still there.

Hang Ah had 2 restaurants across the street from each other. The one on Sacramento is closed, the other one, in the alley is opened.

I must be the only San Franciscan who remembers the closed one as really awful :))

Dear Faina,
I remember the closed Hang Ah as not so good either. The Hang Ah's were opened way before the later waves of Hakka, Fukienese, and other Chinese immigrants. These later emigre groups brought their cuisines with them and kind of revitalized the Chinese eatery scene in S.F. - and the dim sum situation improved as a result.

Dovima, there is a thread on GTG - May 23, maybe you can make it?