The Year of the Rabbit on the Chinese zodiac calendar began on Jan. 22. Traditionally in Chinese culture, this is the time to celebrate the Lunar New Year and pray for a bountiful spring harvest. Chinese family and clan associations, throughout the spring season plan for large gatherings of hundreds for the annual New Year and spring banquets in Chinese communities across the country. These events are filled with speeches, entertainment, scholarship awards and invited local politicians, and bring attendees from across the city, the region and country.
Again, as it has for the past three years, planning for the biggest event of the year for associations comes against the backdrop of COVID pandemic concerns, anti-Asian crime and the lack of banquet restaurants in San Francisco Chinatown to hold these gatherings. Indeed, these factors along with declining interest may be the death knell for family associations in the Bay Area. Â
Once there were many restaurants in San Francisco Chinatown capable of holding large gatherings. Only the venerable Far East Cafe on Grant Avenue, which was on the verge of shuttering during the height of the COVID crisis, remains. New Asia Restaurant on Pacific Street closed several years ago. Miriwa, next door to New Asia, and Four Seas and the Empress of China on Grant Avenue, have all shuttered.
Today, family association members tend to be older, monolingual immigrants and many reside in or near Chinatown. Few drive and they depend on their children to travel to venues outside of Chinatown.
The annual spring banquets are evening affairs. With increased concerns about anti-Asian crime, families are reluctant to venture into Chinatown at night. The financial health of many associations depends on these events. Besides opportunities for families to get together, the event generates revenue for associations as attendees make annual donations at the dinner. For those associations that purchased…
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