Community-Serving Retail

Kam Wai Dim Sum 金威點心 was founded in Chinatown three decades ago from humble beginnings, expanding once already in 2010 to its current location (249 E Pender Street) at the Kong Chow Society building. Despite being a successful family business, the challenge of succession planning meant its future within a changing Chinatown neighbourhood was by no means guaranteed. 

Our team stepped up to answer the question: what intervention could we make to help this important community-serving business grow into its next generation of ownership?

When siblings William and Susan Liu took over the family business in Chinatown, they had to face challenges that other small, local, community-serving businesses are struggling with too. Securing and renovating an affordable space is no easy task, retail tenancy is precarious, and COVID-19 has made everything even more difficult. With their parents retiring, William and Susan had to learn fast, and grow quickly and confidently into their new roles. They had strong community values to continue through the family business.

Watch William share his hopes and worries in his own words: William Liu – The Opera Singer

Food and other kinds of affordability are under pressure in the Downtown Eastside, with existing businesses being replaced by more expensive ones. Kam Wai continues to provide affordable and culturally relevant food, especially for Chinese seniors and other low-income residents of SROs in the area. Affordability runs both ways; Kam Wai’s low prices are made possible through the sustainable lease terms of their non-profit landlord. Affordable retail space is at risk across every Vancouver neighbourhood, which we hope to help address with our program.

Kam Wai serves community through more than just food. In addition to enjoying satisfying meals, customers appreciate the ability to ask advice on how to prepare traditional foods, to speak Chinese with staff and to meet with neighbours. Often they leave notes behind to show how they treasure this shop. Some were worried that renovations would mean higher prices and that they wouldn’t feel welcome anymore. In reality, the renos aim to serve the community more and better, through expanded menu options and eat-in capacity after the pandemic.

Small independent businesses are a major driver of Vancouver’s local economy. Humble mom-and-pop shops often have far more economic impact than what immediately meets the eye. Kam Wai is no different. It sources much of its supplies of meats, vegetables, ingredients and packaging from within a few blocks, and makes use of local production facilities. The traditional, handmade nature of their frozen dim sum means that Kam Wai employs and sustains more workers than your average food retailer.

Successful succession of legacy businesses is key to the upholding of the culture of Chinatown and Strathcona. With son and daughter choosing to build on the accomplishments of mom and dad, Kam Wai continues the culinary heritage of dim sum enjoyed day and night, joong / zhong zi at Dragon Boat Festival, and Chinese New Year foods. Their renovated space allows them to experiment with expanded menu options and food traditions representing the family’s Cantonese, Taiwanese and Chinese-Canadian heritages.

William and Susan were committed to staying in Chinatown as an independent family business, to grow the Kam Wai brand, and to continue serving community. We supported them in their decision-making around visioning, business planning, design, contractor selection, permitting and financing. The renovations are the most visible outcome, but it represents working closely with the Liu family for the past two years to help them imagine a thriving and sustainable future in Chinatown. We believe that through this kind of support, the decline of community-serving businesses can be challenged.

Following the success with Kam Wai Dim Sum and the Kong Chow Society, we want to see more community-serving businesses and non-profit landlords take benefit from our support program. The story of William and Susan Liu has been an inspiration for many other (aspiring) entrepreneurs. We are currently working with several business owners and Chinese societies, and in the process of renovating and repurposing affordable retail spaces for the kind of businesses that the community hopes to retain and see more of.