The Return of an Icon: The Hung Far Low Sign Comes Home
August 30, 2010
One of the most memorable and historic symbols of Portland’s Old Town / Chinatown will rise again to greet a new generation of visitors and admirers. The iconic Hung Far Low sign has been painstakingly restored and rebuilt and after a 2 day installation, it will be unveiled during a First Thursday ceremony on September 2 at NW 4th Avenue and NW Couch Street. The sign will be symbolically wrapped and unveiled to the community at 7 pm.
The Chinese dialect of Taisan once ruled the streets of America and Hung Far Low translated as “Almond Blossom Fragrance”. The building was built in 1916 and 1917, serving the city first as a millinery factory and shop. While the Chinese were forbidden by law from owning property, it was secretly purchased by one of Chinatown’s most influential residents, Wong On. He created the Hung Far Low Restaurant in 1928 on the second floor and it remained at this location until 2005. After 80 years of surviving Portland’s inclement weather, the 2000 pound sign was removed for safety precautions.
In 2009, the partners of PING opened the new restaurant on the ground floor of the Hung Far Low Building. Owners, Andy Ricker, Kurt Huffman, John and Janet Jay (Studio J) were inspired by the legacy of the location and hoped to contribute to the revitalization of the Chinatown neighborhood. The choice of the corner of NW 4th and Couch was consistent with the Jay’s vision for a neighborhood inspired by their own Chinese ancestors and the influence of contemporary Asia’s contributions to global culture. The launch of PING was a symbol of confidence in the emergence of a new Old Town / Chinatown in Portland. Today, the area continues to attract young artists, designers, musicians, digital and sustainability entrepreneurs, including those with a link to modern Asian culture.
For the partners of PING, the Hung Far Low sign represented the neighborhood, its spiritual connection to China and a sense of respect for past generations of Chinatown. However, as the creative-oriented entrepreneurs and artists have moved into the neighborhood, they have made it clear that the historic sign was missed, echoing the sentiments of the elders who grew up in the area. While the sign is firmly a part of Portland’s pop culture, earning a reputation as a cheeky tourist destination, it ultimately represents something deeper.
With the assistance of the current owner of the building and sign, Mrs. Joanne Hong; Ping’s Kurt Huffman organized a grassroots effort to raise money from the community in order to restore the sign. The Portland Development Commission, whose offices are in Old Town / Chinatown, intuitively understood the importance of the sign and its significance to the community. The PDC’s support and financial contribution, along with local monies raised, finally helped to make the renovation a reality.
The sign was carefully brought back to its original look and feel under the direction of Security Signs of Portland with help from KPFF Engineers. Studio J oversaw the restoration process of the design and color including the return of the original words, “Chop Suey” to the top of the sign. A dish originally concocted by turn-of-the-century immigrant Chinese cooks; Chop Suey, decades later became popular as America’s first taste of Chinese cuisine.
The partners of PING are proud to be a part of the return of Chinatown history. The public support for the renovation of the Hung Far Low sign represents more than just the renovation of an icon, it is a re-connection of past lives and experiences of a historic neighborhood with a rich past and an even more promising future.
PING
Andy Ricker
Kurt Huffman
Janet Jay
John Jay