GRAPF ORIGINS

The king of Grand Rapids Chinatown. Chan Hoy arrived in Grand Rapids in the late 1880s. Ever the entrepreneur, he soon opened the “Hermitage Laundry” at 140 Canal Street and additional locations in Holland and Grand Haven. In the spring of 1902, he leased 80 acres of land and established a Chinese-run farm in Paris Township. In October of that same year, Chan opened his first restaurant, Hong Far Lo, at 28 Pearl St. Its grand opening showcased his flair for showmanship and took place over three nights, each night consisting of a complimentary banquet, music, and fireworks display. It created much fanfare and was covered extensively in all the local papers. This made Chan a local celebrity, and cemented him as the “King of Grand Rapids Chinatown.” In the summer of 1908, Chan opened his second restaurant, Hong Ying Lo, on the second floor of what is today Mojo’s Dueling Piano Bar on the corner of Pearl and Canal (later Monroe). Once again, there was much fanfare and newspaper coverage. Chan’s last great endeavor in Grand Rapids occurred in the winter of 1914 when Hong Far Lo opened its new location above the Idlehour Theater at 188 Monroe which, until recently, was the location of Bull’s Head Tavern. At the height of his career, he owned businesses in Chicago, Cleveland, and New York, in addition to his businesses in Michigan.Through his entrepreneurial endeavors, Chan became acquainted with the prominent men of Grand Rapids. These connections proved useful in navigating the Chinese Exclusion laws and the obstacles they created. For example, when his son, Chan Sing, was detained and set for deportation in the winter of 1910, Chan could enlist the support of both Michigan Senators to intervene on his behalf. With their help, Chan was reunited with his son, an outcome out of reach for most Chinese immigrants during that time. This story is brought to you by the Grand Rapids Asian Pacific Foundation Join our community at GRAPF.org