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ANNIE LEONG
Headlights on Downtown
"They [the older residents of Chinatown] seldom spoke fluent English, so I was sometimes the spokesman."
Annie Leong
Born in the back of the Asia Restaurant (recorded as 714A Market Street), which was one of the last recorded births in Chinatown, Annie Leong lived and worked within the boundaries of Chinatown. Much like the families that worked in laundries, Leong's family worked very long, laborious hours and lived in rear compartment of the building.
Annie Leong took over the daily operations of the Asia Restaurant after her stepfather retired, but her duties did not stop there. Leong spoke both English and Cantonese fluently, and was considered the "spokesperson" for the Chinatown community. She was the interpreter for Gee Hong and Gee One during their efforts to save the Sam Wah laundry.
Leong saw the demise of Chinatown, and the Asia Restaurant was the last building to be torn down for the urban redevelopment project. On the day the building was destroyed, Leong expressed a sense of regret. "...I guess I have to get use to a new home. Parking lots are necessary." Leong moved the restaurant to its new location on Delmar Boulevard until it closed in 1979. Today, Leong operates the Asia Food Products store located on South Grand Boulevard.