Early Korean-American Businesses

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Korean-American Businesses Featured in Kongnip Sinbo and Sinhan Minbo

• 1906: Woo Kyung-sik opened the first Korean-run inn in Sacramento.
• 1907.07.14: Daehwa Store – 1714 Post St., San Francisco, a shop selling various imported goods.
  
• 1907.12.06: A Korean Public Association member, Han Myung-yeo, opened a barbershop at 1605 Franklin St., San Francisco. The advertisement stated:
  “As white barbers refuse to cut Asian hair, and our compatriots dislike visiting Japanese barbers, I have opened this barbershop. Please come by, and I will provide excellent service.”
• 1908.11.25: In Sacramento, Yun Kyung-hak and Heo Seop purchased Lee Kwan-il’s inn.
• 1908.12.25: Advertisement from Dobrin’s, 2020 Fillmore St., San Francisco:
  “Our store has a wide range of men’s supplies. No other shop in San Francisco offers prices as low as ours. Come and see for yourself!”
• 1909.10.27: Korean-themed postcards featuring images such as Independence Gate, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Namdaemun were sold for 5 cents for three cards or 15 cents for a dozen by Sinhan Minbo in San Francisco.
• 1911.10: Heo Seung-won and Lee Soon-gi opened the first Korean-run store in Stockton, selling agricultural products and tools.
• 1912.02: Kim Soon-kwon sold his grocery store in Sacramento to Kim Jang-yeon.
• 1913.06.23: Hong Eon transferred ownership of his bookstore, Sonyeon Seohwae, to Joo Won. Located at 1712 Broderick St., San Francisco.
• 1913.11.21: Seon Woo-tan opened a store in Oakland.
• 1914.04.02: Tailor Chun Deuk-bu advertised the sale of Taegukgi flags for 1 won each, made from silk:
  “Brothers and sisters who love Korea, come and purchase a Taegukgi!” Located at 2115 Webster St., San Francisco.
• 1914.05.21: A trio of tailors (Chun Deuk-bu, Shin Han, Yang Ju-eun) gained prominence in San Francisco.
• 1914.10.22: Chun Deuk-bu sold his inn on Webster St. to Woo Hong-tae and Jeong Dong-ho.
• 1914: Choi Jung-ik, a former editor of Kongnip Sinbo in 1905, engaged in ginseng trade in Tahiti and Manchuria before returning to San Francisco in 1915 and eventually to Korea in 1919.
• 1915.02.11: Laundry business by Jung and tobacco shop by Kim in San Francisco.
• 1915.03.25: Samuel Lee advertised embroidered items with the word “Corea” for 75 cents each, at 3316 Fillmore St., San Francisco.
• 1915.06.10: Prominent Korean-run businesses in San Francisco:
  • Exposition Inn restaurant: Chun Deuk-bu, 2701 Sacramento St.
  • Korean barbershops: Shin Han, Shin Sung-chil, 853 Clay St.
  • Tobacco shop: Joo Won, 698 Grant Ave.
  • Korean-run inns: Jeong Dong-ho, 2115 Webster St.
  • Korean tailoring and laundry: Hwang Sa-seon, 1248 Mason St.
  • Bookstore: Seo Pil-soon, 2212 1/2 Pine St.
• 1915.09.02: Advertisement for dried pollack imported from Korea, priced at 50 cents. Prepayment required, sold by Joo Won at 698 Grant Ave., San Francisco.
• 1916.05.11: The second volume of Haksaengbo (Student News) was published, featuring notable essays and stories. Price: 25 cents.
• 1916.08.03: Moon Won-chil opened a barbershop near Chinatown in Oakland.
• 1916.10.26: Shin Sung-chil began solo operations at a barbershop in Chinatown, San Francisco (853 Clay St.).
• 1916.10.26: Shin Dal-yun opened a coffee shop in Stockton.
• 1916.11.30: The Sacramento Promotion Association decided to boycott selling goods to small stores run by other Asian groups.
• 1917.03.08: Business census of Korean-American enterprises:
  Location Owner Business Capital Monthly Revenue Monthly Profit
  San Francisco
  Yoon HakInn, Laundry, Pool Hall$600$165$65
  Shin Sung-chilBarbershop$500$200$100
  Hwang Sa-seonLaundry$350$160$70
  Ha Sang-okLaundry$300$120$50Choi
  Yong-hoPool Hall, Tobacco Shop$2,500$450$150
  Joo WonTobacco Shop$500$400$100
  Oakland
  Jo Sung-hakBarbershop & Bathhouse$600$200$80
  Moon Won-chilBarbershop$200$70$30
  Marysville
  Chun Deuk-buRestaurant, Pool Hall$1,500$650$300

◈ March 15, 1917: In Sacramento, the Dongje Club transitioned from private business to a corporate model, raising capital within the Korean community.

◈ August 23, 1917: In San Francisco’s Chinatown at 762 Clay St., Moon Jang-geun’s barbershop was purchased and reopened by Ahn Kyung-oh.

◈ October 18, 1917: Advertisement for the inn opened on March 15—”Koreans visiting San Francisco, choose a Korean-run inn for the same price.” Owner: Park Yong-ha. Address: 2115 Webster St., San Francisco.

◈ November 15, 1917: The Korean Inn in San Francisco, owned by Park Yong-ha, was purchased and reopened by Ahn Young-ryul, who had been residing in Washington.

◈ December 6, 1917: The barbershop of Ahn Kyung-oh on Clay St. was sold to Hwang Chan-il, and Park Yeon opened a new barbershop in Oakland.

◈ January 24, 1918: Park Hak-moon opened a Western-style restaurant called “Lobster Café” at 517 Pacific Avenue, which prospered.

◈ February 14, 1918: Kim Soo-kwon and Lee Gyu-ha established a laundry business at 559 Hayes St., San Francisco, in early February.
The Korean Inn in San Francisco was put up for sale. The innkeeper, Ahn Young-ryul, requested those with belongings at the inn to retrieve them and advised changing the contact address if it had been used for correspondence.

◈ March 21, 1918: Business report from Manteca—Kim Kyung-bo and Yang Joo-eun opened a Western-style restaurant in February.
Jeon Myung-woon continued his laundry business as before.

◈ May 2, 1918: Barbershop, bathhouse, and laundry services are offered with great care at 1920 3rd St., Sacramento. Statement by Rhee Ok-hyung.

◈ May 24, 1918: In Stockton, Kim Jong-hak purchased Moon Yang-mok’s inn and reopened it on June 1.
Kim Sung-kwon of Tracy advertised for the sale of the Western-style restaurant (lunch spot) formerly run by Shin Dal-yoon.

◈ June 13, 1918: Report from Marysville—Kim Seung-gwan’s restaurant and Bang Sa-gyeom’s inn were thriving, generating a monthly net profit of over 300 won.

◈ 1918: Students were advised to extend their labor period during summer vacation due to a shortage of workers in orchards during the fruit harvest in Northern California.

◈ July 25, 1918: After purchasing the Stockton Korean Inn, Kim Jong-hak invested 1,000 won to renovate and improve it. By diligently arranging lodging for travelers, the business continued to thrive.

◈ August 29, 1918: A skilled Korean barber was wanted, with payment as desired. The offer included boarding for 1 won and 75 jeon, or a weekly salary of 15–17.50 won, excluding boarding expenses. Barber shop owner: Shin Han. Address: 1118 Stockton St., San Francisco.

◈ October 24, 1918: The Pacific Trading Co. imported pollock from Korea, selling it for 25 jeon per pound for orders of 100 pounds or more. Address: 331 Battery St., San Francisco.

◈ November 21, 1918: Hwang Sa-seon and Lee Gun-young opened an East-West grocery store near 1126 Grant Avenue, San Francisco, selling rice wholesale.

◈ October 1919: Advertisement for the Sacramento Sauce Company—“Don’t eat sauce made by the enemy!” Initially, their sauce was not well-received, but their newly manufactured sauces were flavorful and visually appealing. Gochujang (red chili paste) was priced at 75 jeon per large container, and soy sauce was 5.75 won per large container.

◈ 1920s: It is estimated that Koreans managed over 20 hotels.

◈ 1922: A Western-style restaurant called “Uncle Sam’s Restaurant” opened near 30th Street and Chinatown in San Francisco, serving dishes like hamburgers and steaks. The chef was Chinese, and the staff included six Filipinos and Koreans. Managed by Yang Joo-eun, it became a popular spot for students and independence activists and operated for 40 years until 1963.

◈ 1942: Advertisements for insurance agents, dentists, and doctors Han Young-dae and Han Yoo-sun.

◈ January 22, 1942: The Oakland Regional Association’s decision to pay wartime contributions first served as a model for other regional associations.

◈ April 16, 1942: Many Japanese in Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and surrounding areas were relocated to internment camps, leaving vacancies in grocery stores, inns, and farms. People with experience and small capital could start businesses, and the government provided expenses for experienced farmers.

◈ October 8, 1942: P.K. Lunch in Stockton advertised for a combination fry cook and waiter with a monthly salary of $125. Inquiries were directed to John Kim. Address: 26 E Main St., Stockton, CA.

◈ March 4, 1943: Sonia Korean Beauty Salon at 1103 Powell St., San Francisco, was put up for sale.

◈ October 17, 1946: Dr. Chung Duk-geun opened a chiropractic clinic at 402 Sentinel Building, 916 Kearny Street, San Francisco.
Lee Chang-soon established a new employment agency in San Francisco, introducing Koreans skilled in Western cuisine and housework to White employers.

◈ October 24, 1946: The Korean Chamber of Commerce visited Northern and Southern California, announcing its existence and appointing Park Young-seop, Han Gyu-dong, and Kang Young-moon to manage the monthly bulletin.

◈ November 19, 1946: Business survey in Stockton—Kim Yo-han (restaurant), dental clinics (Park Sung-ho, Lee Yoo-il), Lee Gun-tae (barbershop), and Kim Young-nyeon (tobacco shop).

◈ January 22, 1948: Jeon Deuk-bo, who ran a restaurant on Pacific St. in San Francisco, sold it in early January to take a break.

◈ April 1, 1948: Byeon Ki-hyun purchased and reopened the International Hotel at Kearny St. and Jackson St. in San Francisco, with promising prospects.

◈ November 25, 1948: Car sales advertisement—”Anyone planning to ship cars to Korea should contact us.” The company offered various cars and trucks at factory prices. Address: Korean Motors New Lhan Company, US Representative, 659 Folsom St., San Francisco.