It was sad during 2020 to see the factory either closed, or nearly empty when it was open. Weekends would see lines out the door of this small alleyway business, with visitors craning their necks to see fresh fortune cookies coming hot off the irons and deftly folded by hands of experienced workers. The Chinese American confectionary invention is a classic, and the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory has been cranking them out since 1962. How to visit: Purchase tickets for events online. There’s also a possibility of bringing the Center for Asian American Media’s annual film festival back to the venue next year, so keep an eye out for that Get your theater nerd friends early presents to the variety show Dark Kabaret, the San Francisco Youth Ballet’s version of The Nutcracker, or musical comedy artist Rizo in a holiday show full of burlesque and rock ‘n’ roll. We bring people to Chinatown, they bring people to us.”Īs a Class A historical building, old fans of The Great Star can admire the replicated blue tiles on the facade, as well as the old altar honoring Chinese opera and projectors that remain. Executive Director Pincombe says of being in Chinatown, “I never had that sense of community with neighbors. Luckily, married couple Roger Pincombe and Alice Chu stepped in as a nonprofit to take over the theater, which historically played host to stars of Chinese opera and classic kung-fu movie screenings. Don’t forget to also check out the countless grocery stores throughout Chinatown, where you can pick up Chinese snacks like White Rabbit candy and mini lychee gelatin cups that make great stocking stuffers.Īs the only remaining theater in Chinatown, The Great Star Theater’s nearly three-year closure from 2018 until June of this year made the venue’s future seem bleak. Choose a starting place (probably Portsmouth Square) and start walking to see what appears along the way. Grant Avenue is closed to street traffic on weekends, and will be at least through the end of the year, so take advantage of that. This Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday season, consider supporting the local businesses below for your gift-giving needs instead of corporate giants like Amazon. Making a day or night of visiting Chinatown is bound to be chock full of food and picture-worthy sights, from community-sponsored murals to street musicians. Still, there is a hopeful upward economic trend, albeit a slow one. Roger Pincombe, the new executive director of The Great Star Theater, which just reopened this June, says that “July to September was pretty rough,” and business has only been picking up in the last month or so. “This year it’s picking up,” he continues, though he cites trouble with Google, which had until recently listed the business as still closed, for deterring potential customers. Last year was the first year we closed in 60-plus years of nonstop service to the community,” says Kevin Chan, owner of the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. While the economy has reopened more in recent months, it’s been a slow recovery for the small businesses in Chinatown that somehow managed to survive, here in SF and across the country. As one of the top tourist destinations in the city, the drop in business during the ongoing pandemic has been devastating, with the loss of tourism compounded by anti-Asian racism and hate crimes. Established in the 1840s, this storied San Francisco neighborhood has been home to everything from grandiose banquet halls and parades to underground vice activity. Celebrate Chinese New Year in Chinatown.Welcome to the oldest Chinatown in America.Explore Chinatown's history, fascinating, but rather dark.Take a tour of Chinatown, guided or do-it-yourself.Best places to eat in Chinatown, including dim sum suggestions. Mary's Square Garage, entrances on Kearny and California Streets. Portsmouth Square Garage, at Kearny and Washington.There are two convenient parking garages in Chinatown: Head up Stockton Street to Bush Street, turn right on Bush and go one block, then left on Grant Avenue through the Chinatown Gate, and you're in Chinatown. Get off at any stop between California and Jackson.Īlso the 15, 30 and 45 Buses go through Chinatown. The California cable car line goes right through the neighborhood (get off at Grant Avenue) and both Powell lines go right along one side of Chinatown on Powell Street, just one block above Stockton Street. It's easy to get to Chinatown on public transportation. If you're up for a meal, or a substantial snack, check out my page on the best (IMO) restaurants in Chinatown, plus the best dim sum places to try.
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