“The Hong Hing Waterfront Store” by artist Paul Marcano, restored in 2004.

Fong Yen Lew was known to almost everyone as Hong Hing, the name he gave
to his store. Born in the late 1800s, he came to Canada and set up his business
in Chemainus around 1915. His enterprise began as a laundry, but he later sold
groceries, chickens and second-hand goods. Eventually, he expanded into boot-
legging and running a gambling house.

Hong Hing was welcomed everywhere in Chemainus, just as he welcomed everyone.

His easy credit terms and kind heart probably lost him plenty of money over the
years, but gained him many new friends.

In the 1950s, the opening of a government liquor store in Chemainus foretold the
demise of Hong Hing’s establishment. His original building was eventually declared
a fire trap and demolished. Hong Hing returned to China, presumably to die.
But to the surprise of only a few who did not know him, he instead married a women
40 years his junior, who eventually presented him with an heir.

Best viewed in original size