Victoria Chinese community seeks buyer for North America's longest-running Chinese business

By Brian Strain, CTV News Vancouver Island Journalist

For the last 166 years, the 500 block of Fisgard Street in downtown Victoria has been better known as Chinatown.

“We are the oldest in Canada and we’re the second oldest in North America,” said Charlayne Thornton-Joe, visitor experience and facilities coordinator for the Chinese Canadian Museum in Fan Tan Alley.

Second only to San Francisco’s Chinatown.

One hundred and thirty-five years ago, Loy Sing, a Chinese butcher shop, opened its doors, serving up barbecued pork, duck and chicken to its loyal customers.

Outside of keeping live ducks and chickens in the back, the business model hasn’t changed much in all these years.

“It is the longest continuously running Chinese business in all of North America,” said Thornton-Joe.

Loy Sing has been owned by Daniel Zheng and his wife Shelly Rong for the past 28 years, but now the couple is planning to retire.

Over the past few years, Canada’s oldest Chinatown is beginning to look more like a multicultural town as French, Japanese and Mexican eateries have moved in. Read more…

Loy Sing, located in Victoria’s Chinatown, is the longest continuously running Chinese business in North America. (CTV News)