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Ensuring that Foreigners' Street is right at home with wining and dining options
July 28, 2012, Saturday
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Zhang Wucai may not have a flashy educational background, but he knows the essence of a successful business: honesty and dedication.
Zhang, 43, is deputy general manager of the company that runs Foreigners' Street, also known as Laowaijie.
The street, which opened 10 years ago, is a very popular venue featuring nearly 40 bars and restaurants offering more than 10 ethnic cuisines.
"I came to work here about half a year after the street was opened," recalled Zhang. "Before that, I was in the retail business in Songjiang District."
Zhang said the establishment of Laowaijie was not smooth at first. In the beginning, developers had planned villas for the popular expat area, but the idea was dumped because of a glut of housing in the area.
At the suggestion of expats themselves, hankering perhaps for some of the tastes of their homelands, the street was finally developed as a wine and dine district with a foreign accent.
When the street first opened, lack of widespread public awareness meant low volumes of customers. Some of the original bar and restaurant owners threw in the towel.
"Since the street opened, more than 100 owners came and left," said Zhang. "But at that time, we believed it would take time and patience to develop the street's reputation." Zhang and his team tried their best to create a friendly environment for business owners. They drew up a detailed, clear list of owners' rights and obligations so that restaurant and bar operators would have a blueprint for running their businesses. Support from the district government also helped.
"For example, restaurants on the street have been allowed to adjust their kitchen sizes to the needs of cooking Western-style food," said Zhang. "They have also been allowed to design restrooms according to Western styles. That makes a lot of difference to customers."
Zhang has become close friends with business owners, many of whom are foreigners. They meet often to talk about how business is going and about future development of the street.
"Most foreigners here love China, especially Shanghai," he said. "The investment environment is improving, the life is colorful and easy, and the government has shown a capacity for quick responsiveness when needed."
Zhang and his colleagues are quick to lend an active hand if either business owners or customers ask for help.
"I remember once a foreign customer was drunk, and his credit card was fraudulently charged 20,000 yuan (US$3,138)," Zhang said. "We helped him go to the police station to report the problem."
But indulgence has its limits.
Zhang remembered one Christmas Eve when a foreign customer stripped naked, rushed all the way down to the fountain at the entrance of the street and jumped in, crushing many decorative lanterns on his way. The management company retrieved his image from street surveillance cameras and called the police.
"We have to maintain strict rules," Zhang said. "It's for the good of the owners, their employees and the customers."
Under Zhang and his team, Laowaijie has become a hallmark brand among expats living in Shanghai. In the past decade, more than 6 million people have patronized the street. About 70 percent of the venue owners and customers on the street are expats or foreign tourists.
"We are different from Xintiandi, where everything looks luxurious and high-end," he said. "We want our customers to feel like it's a home away from home. And I believe Laowaijie is on its way to that goal."
Zhang, however, is not content with the status quo. "The street still has a story to tell, and we are digging through its history to uncover its cultural importance," he said.
Laowaijie was once part of Railway 101, which was specially built for former Chairman Mao Zedong. Many stories abound about that era.
"There was once a railway station here to welcome Chairman Mao," Zhang said. "The station is said to have been built in a day, which was astonishing."
Zhang said he also expects the street to expand a bit beyond dining and drinking. He said he would like to see a travel mart where people could get information and book trips all over China. "The street is very close to Hongqiao Airport, and I believe many tourists would welcome travel service," he said.
Zhang studied finance at a vocational night school, but he doesn't think that training helped him much in his work.
"All one needs to do is have an honest heart and the spirit to not worry about failure," he said.
Zhang Wucai, 43, from China
Profession: Deputy General Manager of Laowaijie
Impression about Minhang:
It's a place of great potential.
Funniest experience in Minhang:
Not much, but going to the Shanghai City Theater to watch drama is always fun.
Favorite place in Minhang:
Foreigners' Street (Laowaijie)
Favorite cuisine:
Thai cuisine
How to improve Minhang:
The district should slow down the real estate development and concentrate on other areas that would highlight its character.
Advice for newcomers:
People should be aware that living costs are relatively high here.
Motto for life:
To be honest and down-to-earth.
Zhang, 43, is deputy general manager of the company that runs Foreigners' Street, also known as Laowaijie.
The street, which opened 10 years ago, is a very popular venue featuring nearly 40 bars and restaurants offering more than 10 ethnic cuisines.
"I came to work here about half a year after the street was opened," recalled Zhang. "Before that, I was in the retail business in Songjiang District."
Zhang said the establishment of Laowaijie was not smooth at first. In the beginning, developers had planned villas for the popular expat area, but the idea was dumped because of a glut of housing in the area.
At the suggestion of expats themselves, hankering perhaps for some of the tastes of their homelands, the street was finally developed as a wine and dine district with a foreign accent.
When the street first opened, lack of widespread public awareness meant low volumes of customers. Some of the original bar and restaurant owners threw in the towel.
"Since the street opened, more than 100 owners came and left," said Zhang. "But at that time, we believed it would take time and patience to develop the street's reputation." Zhang and his team tried their best to create a friendly environment for business owners. They drew up a detailed, clear list of owners' rights and obligations so that restaurant and bar operators would have a blueprint for running their businesses. Support from the district government also helped.
"For example, restaurants on the street have been allowed to adjust their kitchen sizes to the needs of cooking Western-style food," said Zhang. "They have also been allowed to design restrooms according to Western styles. That makes a lot of difference to customers."
Zhang has become close friends with business owners, many of whom are foreigners. They meet often to talk about how business is going and about future development of the street.
"Most foreigners here love China, especially Shanghai," he said. "The investment environment is improving, the life is colorful and easy, and the government has shown a capacity for quick responsiveness when needed."
Zhang and his colleagues are quick to lend an active hand if either business owners or customers ask for help.
"I remember once a foreign customer was drunk, and his credit card was fraudulently charged 20,000 yuan (US$3,138)," Zhang said. "We helped him go to the police station to report the problem."
But indulgence has its limits.
Zhang remembered one Christmas Eve when a foreign customer stripped naked, rushed all the way down to the fountain at the entrance of the street and jumped in, crushing many decorative lanterns on his way. The management company retrieved his image from street surveillance cameras and called the police.
"We have to maintain strict rules," Zhang said. "It's for the good of the owners, their employees and the customers."
Under Zhang and his team, Laowaijie has become a hallmark brand among expats living in Shanghai. In the past decade, more than 6 million people have patronized the street. About 70 percent of the venue owners and customers on the street are expats or foreign tourists.
"We are different from Xintiandi, where everything looks luxurious and high-end," he said. "We want our customers to feel like it's a home away from home. And I believe Laowaijie is on its way to that goal."
Zhang, however, is not content with the status quo. "The street still has a story to tell, and we are digging through its history to uncover its cultural importance," he said.
Laowaijie was once part of Railway 101, which was specially built for former Chairman Mao Zedong. Many stories abound about that era.
"There was once a railway station here to welcome Chairman Mao," Zhang said. "The station is said to have been built in a day, which was astonishing."
Zhang said he also expects the street to expand a bit beyond dining and drinking. He said he would like to see a travel mart where people could get information and book trips all over China. "The street is very close to Hongqiao Airport, and I believe many tourists would welcome travel service," he said.
Zhang studied finance at a vocational night school, but he doesn't think that training helped him much in his work.
"All one needs to do is have an honest heart and the spirit to not worry about failure," he said.
Zhang Wucai, 43, from China
Profession: Deputy General Manager of Laowaijie
Impression about Minhang:
It's a place of great potential.
Funniest experience in Minhang:
Not much, but going to the Shanghai City Theater to watch drama is always fun.
Favorite place in Minhang:
Foreigners' Street (Laowaijie)
Favorite cuisine:
Thai cuisine
How to improve Minhang:
The district should slow down the real estate development and concentrate on other areas that would highlight its character.
Advice for newcomers:
People should be aware that living costs are relatively high here.
Motto for life:
To be honest and down-to-earth.
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