华埠近况 – Chinatown Today

图/文  刘耀国 (Steve Low)

上个世纪初, 越来越多中国人漂洋过海讨生活, 踪迹遍及全球。而全球各大城市，凡有中国人聚居的地方, 就有一条唐人街。

唐人街是海外侨胞“家外之家”,某种程度上继承了中华文化及华人之生活、娱乐、饮食习惯, 甚至中文教育等. 后来更成为与主流社会沟通的桥梁, 至今仍担当着此积极和意义深远之角色。

至于营商环境,号称北美洲第二大的温哥华唐人街,二十世纪六、七十年代是全盛期。车水马龙, 生意兴隆。唐人街的地产是全市最昂贵的，市中心高楼大厦林立, 但那是上班办公的地方。至于购物娱乐, 就集中在与华埠为邻的喜士定街了。加拿大三大百货公司, 有两间在此。戏院也有三间，后来香港的邵氏,嘉禾又建成新戏院，繁华热闹, 一时无两。可惜好景不常，八十年代开始, 我们慢慢搬离华埠, 但仍时常回去买伙食、报纸、图书杂志等。

随着华人人口急剧增长，到处都有了华人商店，连西人超市也可以买到中文报纸。同一时期, 西人的百货公司由于新一代的消费方式不同, 各种专门店应运而生。如时装、家俬、家电等等。此消彼长，大公司告急，人流不再。

九十年代至今，我们见证着唐人街和喜士定街的衰退, 和衰退带来的种种问题。就在这二十年愁云惨雾之中, 有一班热心人士、华裔精英, 一直都为振兴华埠而努力。

西人方面, 最为华侨喜爱的活活百货公司大楼重建工程也快将完成. 中山人雷氏家族经营的伦敦药房新店, 和仍然保留活活食品店招牌的市场巳于上周启业，这些都是好开始。  

以下部份图片,记录了他们努力之成果:

In the early days of last century, more and more Chinese had migrated to other parts of the world, in search of a better life. New immigrants tend to stay together in one section of a city,  hence a Chinatown was borne.

Chinatown to the Overseas Chinese is their ‘home away from home’. It allows them to maintain their culture and their life style to a certain degree (e.g. Chinese foods!)  It also serves to this day, as a bridge between the Chinese community, mainstream population and other ethnic groups at large.

Being the 2nd largest in North America, Vancouver Chinatown had its best days in the 60’s and 70’s. Its property value was the most expensive in the city. Together with the busy neighbouring East and West Hastings Street, the area boosted many restaurants, cafés, small and large shops, theatres, meat markets, banks etc. etc. and two of the three Canada’s largest department stores.

But in the 80’s, as the demographic changed and different shopping habits of the new generation, we are witnessing the decay of both streets, and the problems of decadence.

Throughout these terrible years, against all odds, there is a group of people, including doctors, lawyers, realtors and politicians, working very hard for the revival of Chinatown. Progresses have made on Hastings Street as well.

The following are some of their achievements:

今天我们沿着温哥华丝绸之路, 由西至东看看华埠之新面貌。

Today, we will follow the Silk Road of Vancouver from the Stadium/Chinatown Sky Train Station to the center of Chinatown.

去年争取到把天车体育馆站改为体育馆/唐人街站, 并加上丝绸之路路牌, 指引游客走去华埠. From the Skytrain Stadium/Chinatown Station. Follow the Silk Road sign, you will first see the International Village building.

国际村之后是前太阳报大厦The former Vancouver Sun Building.

让我们左转上喜士定街看看重建中之活活大楼. 活活百货公司1946年开张. 六,七十年代是华人购买一切生活所需的地方. 其广告歌Dollar forty-nine day, Tuesday. Dollar forty-nine day, Woodward’s 人人识唱. 可惜于1993年结业. The famous Woodward’s Building re-development.

中山雷氏家族经营的新店抢先开张The new store of London Drug at Woodard’s

Nesters 仍保留活活牌子. 引起美好的回忆. The Market with the Woodward’s Touch. Brought back fond memories.

Nesters Market 的董小姐Miss Dong at Nesters. Friendly and helpful.

仿当年的一个四毫九. $1.49 each. just like the good old days.

西奇化街新厦. New apartment building on west Keefer Street.

 华埠西边入口的中国式牌坊. 柱上诗词书法皆是本地大师级作品. Entrance to Chinatown from the west. The Millennium Gate

百年夙云壁画『Century’s Winds of Change』 mural

上海街之西汉大铜钟. Historical Alley and West Dynasty Bell.

美化华埠计划之彩旗及宫灯Colorful banner and Chinese style lightings

苏州园林中山公园. 连假山石块也来自太湖. Chinese Classical Gardens. ZhongShan is the name,Tranquility is the game.

中山公园外看华埠以西的发展The old and the new from the garden.

世界最窄的建筑三纪号. The world’s narrowest Building-only 6 feet wide.

旧铺新装, 充满生气 New life to a old building. Indication of things to come.

西人开始投资唐人街千万元, 四五年改装之后,永生行重生. 近年还有西人开的咖啡屋,发型屋,商店等. Outside money start coming to Chinatown.

中华会馆也翻新外墙. 中中校友会在附近. Many century old buildings are putting on a new face.

美化华埠三壁画之一. One of the three new murals in Chinatown.

奇化街同乡会楼下铺位就光猛美观. One bright spot on Keefer Street.