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Grand old stores survive and thrive
By Zhang Fan and Chen Long |
February 28, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A street cannot be honoured with the designation "old" unless it is home to time-honored stores and has a history to tell. Several "old streets" in Nanxiang, such as Renmin and Jiefang, boast shops that have been there 100 years or longer.
Dachangcheng is one of them. Founded in 1865 by Chen Yiting, it's considered the granddaddy of stores in Nanxiang.
The store, which originally specialized in foodstuffs, is still popular with local residents who prize its cakes, candies and traditional cookies.
In 1933, Zhu Xingchu took charge of the store. He expanded its business to seafood, roasted nuts, straw mats and other commodities. However, the famous cake and candies were still made in the workshops at the back of the store and still sold well.
In 1937, the store was burned down by the war. Zhu was determined to reopen, and one year later, the rebuilt shop was back in business.
However, the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression left society in turmoil, and the store's business and staffing were greatly reduced. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Dachangcheng took over a neighboring shop and expanded its business. Today, it's a monument to its former glory.
Yongda Silk Store on Remin Street started business in 1929. The store was engaged in selling silk and wool fabric. At that time, commerce in the Nanxiang area was developing rapidly and commodities were delivered by steam boats.
In 1946, Gu Yongming, the eldest son of the founding couple, took over the store. Due to his excellent business management skills, the store has ranked among the top silk sellers in the area.
In 1956, the store was merged into the Nanxiang Department Store.
Besides Yongda Silk, there is another famous silk seller on the old street called Xieji Silk Store, which was opened in 1806 by Hu Caizi, an Anhui Province businessman.
The store made its name in the silk thread trade. In that era, the men of the Qing Dynasty used silk threads to hold their braided hair.
After the Revolution of 1911, the braids went out of fashion and Xieji had to change its business to silk fabric.
During the war time, the store was looted twice by Japanese soldiers. After the war, its business faded until the government later took over the shop with the public-private partnership and turned it into a more general department store.
Dachangcheng is one of them. Founded in 1865 by Chen Yiting, it's considered the granddaddy of stores in Nanxiang.
The store, which originally specialized in foodstuffs, is still popular with local residents who prize its cakes, candies and traditional cookies.
In 1933, Zhu Xingchu took charge of the store. He expanded its business to seafood, roasted nuts, straw mats and other commodities. However, the famous cake and candies were still made in the workshops at the back of the store and still sold well.
In 1937, the store was burned down by the war. Zhu was determined to reopen, and one year later, the rebuilt shop was back in business.
However, the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression left society in turmoil, and the store's business and staffing were greatly reduced. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Dachangcheng took over a neighboring shop and expanded its business. Today, it's a monument to its former glory.
Yongda Silk Store on Remin Street started business in 1929. The store was engaged in selling silk and wool fabric. At that time, commerce in the Nanxiang area was developing rapidly and commodities were delivered by steam boats.
In 1946, Gu Yongming, the eldest son of the founding couple, took over the store. Due to his excellent business management skills, the store has ranked among the top silk sellers in the area.
In 1956, the store was merged into the Nanxiang Department Store.
Besides Yongda Silk, there is another famous silk seller on the old street called Xieji Silk Store, which was opened in 1806 by Hu Caizi, an Anhui Province businessman.
The store made its name in the silk thread trade. In that era, the men of the Qing Dynasty used silk threads to hold their braided hair.
After the Revolution of 1911, the braids went out of fashion and Xieji had to change its business to silk fabric.
During the war time, the store was looted twice by Japanese soldiers. After the war, its business faded until the government later took over the shop with the public-private partnership and turned it into a more general department store.
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