Tommy Chi Research Paper

Tommy Chi was born in Toison, China on January 10, 1936. He was the third child out of six children. During Tommy’s childhood, he grew up by a pond and learned how to fish and catch frogs. When Tommy was 13 years old, he fled China with his mom, older sister, and brother. They crossed over long terrain and swam at night from China to Hong Kong at to meet their father, who had already found his way to Hong Kong. Once they arrived in Hong Kong, Tommy went to work in a factory making gloves and sweaters. At night, he would attend school to learn English. The family stayed in Hong Kong for three years and was able to gain sponsorship to come to the United States.

The family took a boat to the United States which took 26 days. During their trip, they hit two typhoons and had to take safe harbor in Japan and Hawaii. When they arrived, they went to live with their aunt, (their mother’s sister). In two days, Tommy was able to find a job at On Lock Sam as a dishwasher. He then moved on to work at Lodi Supermarket and then he went to San Jose to work at another supermarket.

In 1966, Tommy moved back to Stockton and opened his first restaurant, Bamboo

At that time, Tommy bought his first apartment complex. Tommy continued his entrepreneurial endeavors by opening New Save Market on Wilson Way. Tommy worked seven days a week, doing all the jobs needed to keep the grocery store going. He learned how to become a butcher, marketing of the store, and learned all the facets of running a business. After the store was in business for seven years, Tommy decided he wanted to open a restaurant next to the grocery store. A year later, Golden Lyon Restaurant was opened and Tommy was the head chef. Eventually, Tommy decided to close down New Save Market and leased out the building but continued to run the restaurant. In 1996, Tommy decided to retire and closed the