Chinatown Urges Diners To Return

By MARC MELTZER, Daily News Staff Writer
Posted: January 24, 1986

Remember last fall when you stood in line for a half-hour to eat dinner at your favorite Chinatown restaurant?

Well, you won't have that problem now.

Chinatown's restaurateurs gathered yesterday at a news conference to plead with the public to resurrect the healthy business conditions that prevailed there until a scant 11 days ago.

That's when deputy U.S. marshals padlocked the New Eastern Food Co. warehouse on Westmoreland Street near 19th. The warehouse was a supplier to Chinese restaurants. Officials said food at the warehouse had been stored under unsanitary conditions and some had been contaminated by insects, rat droppings and other filth.

Bill Wu, vice president of the Chinese Benevolent Association, which called the meeting, said the incident has "created hysteria" among former Chinatown restaurant patrons. "People should come back. There's nothing to be afraid of. They should enjoy their food again."

More than a half-dozen food suppliers paraded up to the microphone to offer testimonials on behalf of their products, which are served at Chinatown restaurants.

And the city Commerce Department also sent a representative, who pledged the agency's support for the businesses.

All the concern is understandable. Ken Chen, association president and owner of Joy Tsin Lau Restaurant, said business has declined by as much as 50 percent throughout Chinatown.

Chen said New Eastern was never a major supplier to Chinese restaurants, contrary to what federal officials have said.

"As a matter of fact, the said company started business only a couple years ago as a delivery service of non-food items to restaurants. Only recently, has it been involved with meat or other edible items," he said.

"Our Chinese restaurants have trustworthy meat and vegetable suppliers."

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