EPISODE · Apr 8, 2021 · 1 MIN
Transition from laundries to restaurants
from Chinese Laundries · host John Jung
The hand laundry was the first form of self-employment for Chinese immigrants starting in the 1870s and grew rapidly until white steam laundry competition placed legal and fiscal barriers against Chinese laundries. By the turn of the century, the Chinese were developing restaurants in Chinatowns as a viable alternative economic resource. Initially serving fellow immigrants in the "bachelor societies," they expanded their offerings that attracted white customers.
What this episode covers
The hand laundry was the first form of self-employment for Chinese immigrants starting in the 1870s and grew rapidly until white steam laundry competition placed legal and fiscal barriers against Chinese laundries. By the turn of the century, the Chinese were developing restaurants in Chinatowns as a viable alternative economic resource. Initially serving fellow immigrants in the "bachelor societies," they expanded their offerings that attracted white customers.
NOW PLAYING
Transition from laundries to restaurants
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Jun 19, 2026 ·6m
Jun 17, 2026 ·12m
Jun 16, 2026 ·26m
Jun 15, 2026 ·8m
Jun 12, 2026 ·21m
Jun 10, 2026 ·9m