Happy 50th Birthday, Yangtze restaurant
Yangtze Restaurant has witnessed a dwindling downtown, challenges from a new wave of competitors and a weakened economy -- but it has survived.
The longevity of the oldest Chinese eatery in the Inland Empire will be celebrated today when it rings in 50 years of existence.
But there's no ancient secret, Chinese or otherwise, to Yangtze's durability, according to those who oversee the family-run restaurant at 126 N. Euclid Ave.
Manager Gary Gin credits an established clientele that enjoys the eatery's "comfort food," while his mother, owner Edna Gin, points to an unchanged menu.
"All of our customers are repeat customers," she said. "We try to please the customers."
The restaurant opened April 22, 1961, under the direction of Edna's late husband, Ray Gin, who was the owner as well as the chef.
When Ray initially expressed an interest in opening the restaurant, Edna admits she was skeptical.
Edna said she still remembers visiting the empty Euclid Cafe, which occupied the space, on a rainy day, and the roof was leaking.
"He tells me, 'What do you think?'" she said. " 'You want to buy this place?' All I could think of was the dollar signs."
Yangtze was the first Chinese restaurant to open in the city and one of only a handful in the area. The other restaurants have since closed.
When Yangtze opened, Edna was working for the Los Angeles County Health Department. She kept her job because she worried about the family's finances.
In the meantime, her husband worked on building up business.
"Ray always liked to cook, and he was a very good cook," Edna said.
The family still lived in Los Angeles County, and Edna said her husband commuted to Ontario.
By 1967, she left her county job and started working with her husband. The family also relocated to Upland.
The Gins' three children -- who were in their early teenage years when the eatery opened -- grew up helping run the family business.
"We had them doing the dishes. We had them running around when they were really young," she said.
Edna said business started to pick up in 1972 when the family purchased the bar next door and offered a full bar.
"Business was good until the '90s," she said.
Then came the rise of Chinese fast-food restaurants, which slowed customer traffic, Gary said.
Recently, the restaurant has been affected by the economy.
"People are not eating out, and people aren't going anywhere," Edna said.
Yangtze has also outlasted buyout threats from the city, which has launched major renovations in downtown.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary, Gary said he is switching up items on the menu. He plans to offer a carne asada and Mongolian fusion dish.
Yangtze will also offer a slice of cake and give away special anniversary pins.
About this blog
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| Liset Márquez has covered the city of Ontario for the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin since 2008. She started the OntarioNow blog in August 2008. To contact Liset, leave a comment on this blog or send an e-mail to Liset Marquez |
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