JeRevien Richeson
May 6, 2011
Present Day Noriega Community
In succession with repeals of immigration restrictions around 1965, the Chinese population in San Francisco expanded drastically within a matter of a few years. During this time, Chinatown began to overflow with residents and could no longer support the vast populace in the area. Hence, Asian Americans began developing communities elsewhere around San Francisco, such as the previously Caucasian dominated business district of Noriega Street. As Asian Americans, primarily Chinese, began to move into the Sunset Area, Caucasians began to move away. The original community of Jewish, Americans, Irish and Europeans were slowly phased out. Soon, the business district of Noriega was monopolized by the Chinese community. A large percentage of businesses that were once run by Caucasians no longer existed; they had disappeared into thin air like the rest of the community. After over forty years of catering to a white community, Noriega Street had developed into an Asian American district around the 1980’s.
Today, Noriega Street is part of a flourishing Chinese community rich with culture. From 19th Avenue all the way down to the last business on 40th avenue, a variety of Chinese and other Asian American businesses can be found. Numerous Chinese owned restaurants, healthcare establishments, markets, and shops have been developed and remained in the area since the 1980’s. According to the Census Bureau for the year of 2010, the most dominant race in the area was Chinese at 45.9%. Since the community was last surveyed in 2010, it has seen very few changes.
After interviewing a select few businesses in the area, a pattern was able to be discerned. The majority of our information is comprised of race and ethnicity demographics as well as interviews with community members. Since the community is primarily composed of Chinese Americans, our group chose to conduct our main interview with Chinese owned business, Café Bakery & Restaurant. Kevin Tang, son to the owners of the restaurant, provided us with the answers to our questions about the community. Businesses in the area were comprised of first and second generation owners; and in addition to that, were generally managed and run by family members. The solidification of the Asian American community was made present around the early 1980’s to 1990’s when an influx of Chinese business owners began to replace the previous Caucasian ones. The greater part of the area is run by small Asian American businesses and carries a close knit feel to it. Of all the businesses in the area, only a few chains such as Walgreens, Chase, Ace Hardware, Subway and Safeway were part of the community dynamic. However, each of these chains were franchised and run by Chinese Americans that are part of the Sunset community. It is apparent that the ethnic enclave in this area is a dominant influence of the structure of the community. It creates bonds between Asian Americans and provides an outlet, outside of Chinatown, to preserve the culture and heritage of Chinese
"Chinatown of San Francisco, California." Travel the World with MagicalJourneys.com. Tours, Hotels and Travel Information for Your Holiday. Web. 06 May 2011. <http://www.magicaljourneys.com/USA/usa-interest-california-sanfrancisco-chinatown.html>.
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