249-251 E Pender St

The original building on this lot was constructed in the 1910s. The building that currently stands was completed in 1928 and underwent renovations in 1970. It is primarily constructed out of brick. Unit 249 was owned by Wah Shuen in the early 1930s and was a grocery store called Chong F. Fruit and Produce later in the decade.

In the early 1940s, the tenant of unit 249 was an Asian business (listed in the BC City Directories as “Oriental”). From the mid 1940s until the 1950s, the unit was occupied by Siu Lee Company. In the early 1980s, the space was used by Dia Cheong Limited and in the late 1980s to 1990s, the space was shared by Garden Bakery and Tea House and Lam & Chiu Enterprises Baker. Today, the unit houses a restaurant called Kam Wai Dim Sum.

Unit 251 was used by Wah Chong Co Pty from 1930 to the early 1950s. From 1954 to the 1970s, the space was occupied by Shing Chong Pty. In the 1980s, the space was a restaurant called Kuang Chow Restaurant. Today, it is owned by the Kong Chow Benevolent Association of Canada.

This site is part of the Chinatown Historic Area, HA-1 in the City of Vancouver’s zoning bylaw. It is included in the Vancouver Heritage Register as a recognized part of the historic neighbourhood. Other similar municipally protected sites within a Historic Area are marked on the map with an O instead of the usual Heritage Register categories of A, B, or C. Some of these sites may be newer construction but are nonetheless still protected. For more information on the bylaw that governs the Chinatown Historic Area see: https://bylaws.vancouver.ca/zoning/zoning-by-law-district-schedule-ha-1-1a.pdf

Source

VanMap, British Columbia City Directories 1860-1955

More information

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/our-history/historic-places/documents/heritage/chinese-legacy/clan-associations-