Asiatown, Cleveland
asiatown also spelled asiatown formerly known chinatown chinatown located cleveland ohio united state chinese people brought country railroad worker established area area became known chinatown centered rockwell avenue e nd street large number nonchinese people asia settled area leading enclave expansion eastward expanded enclave named asiatown portion rockwell avenue often referred old chinatown historic chinatown asiatown straddle boundary downtown cleveland goodrich–kirtland park neighborhood cleveland first asian resident chinese came united state work railroad individual came cleveland escape racism antichinese sentiment white people west coast number initially small numbered number risen initially chinese settled ontario street lakeside st clair avenue north public square enclave consisted small retail shop like clothing store grocery store laundry restaurant however enclave dissolving chineserun shop scattered throughout downtown area rapid development cleveland downtown particularly terminal tower complex began construction displaced resident shop drove eastward end much larger permanent enclave formed around intersection rockwell avenue e nd street name chinatown began used describe area cleveland chinatown largely confined rockwell avenue e st e th street leong tong merchant association begun construction new building – rockwell avenue formally opened retail office residential space january twostory structure contained groundfloor retail restaurant space secondstory office residential unit enclave thrived popular nowlocally famous restaurant like shanghai restaurant opened red dragon café opened golden gate opened drew large number white american dish chow mein chop suey taste texture similar western european cooking mainstay establishment chinatown restaurant stayed open weekend number chinese living chinatown rose significantly next four decade major influx new chinese resident occurred conclusion chinese communist revolution chinatown remained popular dining destination throughout new restaurant three chinese sister opened quickly became cleveland dining landmark chinatown entered sharp decline part caused influx nonchinese asian area shared cultural value encouraged chinese support chinese business family broke pluralism increased another factor lessening racial barrier allowed asian obtain college degree better job leave chinatown final factor improved financial condition second thirdgeneration immigrant family many left downtown larger home suburb although popular golden coin restaurant opened former rockwell restaurant building two business restaurant remained cleveland historic chinatown early crime wave opening asia plaza shopping mall catering asian business consumer nearby asiatown worsened economic decline historic chinatown last asian restaurant rockwell avenue shanghai wu cuisine took shanghai restaurant space december closed february cleveland saw major influx korean many lived chinatown significant number vietnamese took residence enclave asian immigrant group settled greater number cleveland asian enclave began expand beyond original boundary east early new enclave emerged bounded st clair payne avenue e th e th street chinese restaurant bo loong opened newly constructed building st clair avenue attracting asian nonasian customer proved groundbreaking establishment anchored emerging asiatown asia plaza opened northwest corner e th street payne avenue modern shopping mall featured extensive parking space provided comfortable indoor shopping experience consumer also drew new diner anchored li wah second chain restaurant featuring wah name catered asian nonasian palate new asian grocery store stocking item wide range asian cuisine also opened distinct asian enclave emerged new chinatown merchant developer began using term asiatown describe area term better reflected cultural diversity enclave name formally adopted local resident merchant st clairsuperior development corporation august second major shopping mall asian town center opened asiatown located superior avenue e th street tenant included korean vietnamese restaurant large asian grocery store mall also included nontraditional business dance studio homeopathic medicine pharmacy martial art studio negative space gallery art gallery opened featured artist workspace performance area coffee bar exhibition space asiatown stakeholder inaugurated cleveland asian festival cofounded lisa wong vi huynh johnny k wu oneday festival drew people first year bringing economic growth neighborhood well pioneer event helped inspiring event cleveland flea market night market following year festival expanded two day drew people making one cleveland popular spring event revitalization enclave led major renovation historic chinatown building rockwell avenue st clair superior development corporation inaugurated first night market event held rockwell avenue designed help bring life chinatown night market held evening hour month summer featured live music dance performance sale alcoholic beverage art food soft drink first night market attracted hundred people night people patronize event night market took year break due lack funding support name enclave spelled asiatown asiatown asiatown consists two section portion known historic chinatown old chinatown run either side rockwell avenue e st e th street remainder asiatown bounded e th e th street st clair perkins avenue population asiatown approximately dutka alan f asiatown cleveland tong war dim sum charleston sc history press isbn fugita stephen asian american community cleveland report cleveland cleveland state university williams ashley chinese sisson richard zacher christian cayton andrew ed american midwest interpretive encyclopedia bloomington ind indiana university press isbn