Bee, Daily Mail, SFGate Report on Historic Chicago Cafe Being up for Sale

Woodland’s historic Chicago Cafe has been put up for sale, prompting news stories by the Sacramento Bee, Daily Mail and SFGate, among other outlets.

An interdisciplinary research project led by Professor Gabriel “Jack” Chin determined the Main Street diner to be the oldest continuously running Chinese restaurant in California, and likely in the United States. Chin’s research drew widespread media attention -- including expansive pieces in The Guardian, Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle -- and many new customers to the diner.

The Bee reported in February that owners Paul and Nancy Fong are selling their business for $50,000. The third generation of Fongs to run the 100+-year-old cafe, the couple plan to retire. SFGate and the Daily Mail published recaps of the Bee story and previous reporting.

One goal of Chin’s project was to draw attention to the diner's historical significance so as to potentially draw a buyer who would maintain it as a Chinese restaurant. Paul and Nancy Fong’s two grown children have pursued careers outside of the restaurant industry, leaving no one to take over the family business.