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Co-Owner Susan Ng of New Town Bakery, Chinatown, Vancouver, BC Canada

Eddie, a 76-year-old who is legally blind, was born in Chinatown and has been eating at New Town Bakery since it first opened in 1975. Every morning, Eddie sits at the bakery counter and orders his breakfast. He chats with the staff and customers and helps fold bakery boxes for New Town’s delectable pastries.

“I come here every day to eat my three meals. I would go stir-crazy in my apartment if I didn’t come here,” said Eddie. “Where else would I go?”

Felicitas Chan and Kenneth Mah are two other New Town regulars who call the bakery their second home. Every morning they meet their friends at the bakery for a coffee break.

“New Town is one of the very best restaurants in town,” said Chan. “The food and service are excellent, especially the steamed buns and apple tarts.”

Owners Susan and David Ng came from Hong Kong in the early 70s and bought the bakery in 1980. Like many business owners, their success has come from personal sacrifice and dedication, working 10 to 12-hour days, seven days a week. “When my kids were young, sometimes I wouldn’t see them for three or four days,” said Susan Ng.

After years of hard work, the bakery, originally employing five people, has grown into three thriving locations (in Vancouver, Surrey and Richmond) with 55 employees.

The Ngs’ close connection to their community and its people has made New Town a cornerstone of Chinatown. This year, the Ngs have already supported 30 community events by donating food, gift certificates or their time.

In recent years, the increased crime in Chinatown has made it harder to attract and retain staff and customers. While the Ngs are paying municipal property taxes for policing and improvements to the neighbourhood, the neighbourhood hasn’t changed for the better and crime seems to be getting worse.

To improve this situation, the Ngs and many other Chinatown business owners are paying for private security and garbage collection – services, they believe, the city is not adequately providing.

Susan Ng agrees that the property tax share needs to be structured so that businesses pay for only the services they use. But, as long as customers feel safe coming to New Town and it can remain competitive, it’ll be open for business.

“If people keep enjoying our food, I’ll keep working here,” she said.