14. SAM LEE & NEW WORLD CAFE


New World Cafe

 In elementary school, we were taught that the "New World" is what Christopher Columbus and other explorers were seeking. Accordingly, New World had a very European connotation. However, Gum Shan or "Gold Mountain" is what Chinese referred to North America as. Curious, but understandable that my father's first restaurant was called New World Lunch instead of Gum Shan.
At the same time, I don't know if my father himself, or with consultation, named the business. Previously it had been called the Frisco Cafe.

The Frisco Cafe owner had been assaulted and seriously injured. While he was recovering, the place sat empty for some time. My father acquired it in 1941. Just before that, he had been working at the King Edward Hotel and rooming at 232 Park Street.

Situated at 1717 Victoria Avenue, New World was across the street from the last station of the Michigan Central Railway; bringing visitors and workers alike.


 In 1942, the name HONG K. CHUNG appears alongside my father's in the city directory in connection with the New World. According to Loy Chong, this is a spelling error and the name should be HONG CHONG.

 Hong Chong was also a member of the Kuomintang (KMT) would have known my father. 

 What kind of arrangement my father had with Hong Chong is unknown. However, in 1943, only my father's name appears beside the New World Lunch directory listing.

 In 1944, JACK CHONG joined New World Lunch as a waiter. He also waited tables at the Victory Cafe.

 By 1945, my father had moved from 232 Park St. and was living at the restaurant. JOHN Y. CHONG was also there but I don't know in what role. He roomed at 326 Ellis.

 The 1946 directory lists a YUEN CHONG (whom I suspect is John Y. Chong) opened a restaurant, New Globe, at 559 Erie Avenue. Yuen Chong roomed at 326 Ellis.

 In 1948, my mother arrived in Niagara Falls. She, my father, his partners CHARLIE FONG and FRANK LEW all lived at 1717 Victoria Avenue. 

 However, the business partnership did not last long. The following year, Frank Lew left and was replaced by LEE POCK. LEE SON was also at New World but his role is unclear.

 My parents continued to work the New World until 1950 when it was sold to L. Vescio and renamed the Hi Ho.

 My father did not run his own restaurant again until 1957 when he took over the Clan Coffee Shop at 3138 Drummond Road.

 I don't know what my parents did for an income during this between period. My husband's genealogical research suggests that taking in roomers at 226 Park Street helped.


I do have a fond memory of my father's "between" time, though. It was the late spring-summer before I started kindergarten. Since my father had no restaurant to run, he was home.

 In the afternoon, my father and I would walk along River Road. The stone wall that kept us from tumbling over the embankment was taller than I was so I couldn't see the river. It didn't matter for what I remember is just being with my father.

 Towards the end of our walk, he'd ask me what I wanted to eat when we got home.  I'd shout out e-g-g. He'd smile.

 I don't know if it was because he was pleased I had learned to spell a number of words before starting school or if he, too, enjoyed our ritual.

 At home, he'd crack a brown-shelled egg with one hand and slide it into a blackened fry pan. When the egg had set on one side, he flicked his wrist and the egg flipped onto the other side to finish cooking.

To this day I cannot do that.



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