Businesses

The history of Chinese-American businesses in Redmond is one of both hardship and strength. Despite facing discrimination and exclusion from typical jobs, Chinese-Americans found ways to adapt and survive in unnoticed or undesired industries, ultimately creating a lasting legacy and transforming the economy and culture of the region.

Laundry Businesses

The laundry industry was a key part of how early Chinese Americans adapted to and fought against discrimination in the Pacific Northwest. In the late 1800s and early 1900s as anti-Chinese sentiment grew, exclusionary laws rolled in, and violence against Chinese people became more common. Many immigrants found themselves shut out from mainstream jobs like mining, farming, and railroad work. This pushed a lot of Chinese immigrants into service jobs that were looked down upon by Americans and considered undesirable.

Laundry work became one of the few industries where Chinese immigrants could find stable opportunities. Starting a laundry required little capital—often no more than a washtub, soap, and an iron—and demanded minimal prior training, making it accessible to newcomers. The work was grueling and stigmatized, as shown in the case of Ah Sing, an early Chinese laundryman who, on July 18, 1900, faced harassment when rocks were thrown into his shop. Yet, despite such hostility, many Chinese laborers pursued the trade as a means of achieving self-sufficiency. Over time, laundries grew into some of the earliest and most recognizable Chinese-owned businesses throughout Washington State, including Redmond.

But these laundries were more than just jobs. They represented survival and economic resourcefulness, allowing Chinese immigrants to find their place in a society that often tried to shut them out. Although laundry work was physically demanding—long hours spent washing, scrubbing, and pressing clothes—it also provided a degree of independence and control that came with challenges in working for unfriendly employers. In this way, the laundry industry was not only a response to systemic exclusion, but also was a way to showcase the resilience and determination of Chinese Americans as they laid down the roots for future generations.

Food-Related Businesses

Chinese American businesses in Redmond Washington, especially restaurants, have been shaped by a complex history of discrimination and cultural resilience. Immigrating for work opportunities and the possibility of a brighter future, the Chinese found themselves working in perilous mine conditions. As the U.S. progressed, these laborers switched to working on the transcontinental railroad. Employers would often exploit the willingness of Chinese laborers to work at lower wages, which contributed to the “model minority” stereotype. This also fundamentally caused division between Americans and immigrants as the Chinese were viewed as a threat towards the jobs of white people.

Due to their unwavering hard work, many Chinese-Americans transitioned away from grueling manual labor and began exploring entrepreneurship opportunities over time. It is because they were excluded from many mainstream professions that they impacted the specific niche of restaurants. These businesses not only served as a source of income, but also as a tether to their homeland culture and were also considered a place of unity for many Asian Americans.

In the 1800s, the Chinese had to face their greatest hurdle yet: the Chinese Exclusionary Act of 1882. This act prevented the immigration of Chinese laborers, rousing hostility towards locals who had already lived in the States for decades and preventing further immigration from happening. In 1915, Washington state legislation passed a law, prohibiting Chinamen from selling seafood. Additionally, many well-established Chinese businesses were forced to shut down as a result. With local resentment at its peak, many immigrants formed alliances inwardly, resulting in Chinatowns, such as the one seen in Seattle. These spaces were protective enclaves that allowed businesses to continue to flourish despite discrimination.

By the 20th century, Chinese cuisine had started to become more mainstream. Advertisements and flavor profiles became more catered towards Western styles. The adaptability was a survival strategy, restaurant owner Ally Tu states. Not only were these restaurants run to make a living, but they were also a key to integration. Brands like La Choy offered beef, chicken, and shrimp meals that mirrored the Americanized Chinese food we see today. By catering more to the Western taste, they attempted to bridge the tension caused by exclusion acts. The process of adaptation kept businesses profitable by appealing to a broader audience.

Furthermore, Asian specialty snacks such as Pocky, teas, and sauces are now commonly seen in American tycoons like Safeway and QFC. The legal landscape in Washington and America as a whole implicitly forced integration as a means for survival. With the great amount of racism Asians faced in the 1800s, businesses were pushed into catering to both their community and the broader American taste. Ironically, this adaptation was what caused Asian foods to become mainstream. 

Medical Businesses

Redmond has long seen the effects of Chinese-American businesses, with medical businesses highlighted as an especially striking symbol of Redmond’s overall health and identity. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an ancient holistic approach to healing. Practiced for thousands of years in China, it is heavily rooted in concepts such as Yin and Yang, Qi, and harmony. So, ancient Chinese medicine typically encompasses a combination of herbal and physical treatments that heal the body and soul. By analyzing Chinese immigration patterns and newspaper archives, it can be inferred that the history of TCM in the Redmond-Seattle area dates back to at least the 1950s. For instance, in 1950, international Chinese herbalist Hen Sen Chin opened the Hen Sen Chin Herb Company in Seattle. 

In Redmond’s past, aspiring Chinese-American medical businesses faced severe cultural marginalization, legitimacy issues, and even xenophobia. Language and cultural barriers made it difficult for TCM practitioners to reach English-speaking clients, resulting in public scrutiny and mistrust. Locals especially doubted the usage of “strange” herbs, resulting in the cultural and social isolation of practitioners. They were often subject to heavy marginalization, driven by the stereotype that Chinese workers would “steal” the jobs of white people.

At the time, exclusion from various employment on the basis of racism pushed Chinese immigrants into business niches like restaurants, clinics, and herbal shops. As a result of xenophobia and doubt, earnings were precarious, and access to banking and property was limited. Chinese medicine also often demanded the importation of supplies, so businesses faced heavy tariffs and costs that cut into their already small profits. 

Both federal and local exclusionary laws, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act and local anti-Chinese actions, promoted discrimination that interfered with business. For instance, the process of obtaining the proper medical license granting businesses legal authority to treat patients favored Western doctors. As a direct result, many TCM businesses operated in a gray zone until regulation and licensing changed in the 1970s. Furthermore, with the rise of Chinese medicine—specifically acupuncture—came regulatory actions that sought to control the practice. Namely, the FDA had classified acupuncture needles as ‘investigational devices’ in 1972. 

However, as history goes on, TCM and businesses have grown to become more widely accepted in the Redmond scene. With modern improvements, many have begun to even enjoy the practice, valuing its unique focus on holistic wellness, herbal medicine, and acupuncture.

Redmond has now given rise to a variety of TCM-practicing clinics, with a noticeable lean towards acupuncture. For instance, Redmond businesses like Mix Acupuncture & Wellness, Swiss Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine, Ding’s Acupuncture and Wellness, and Dreamclinic Massage and Acupuncture have sprung up since popularization. Aside from acupuncture, they offer a mix of old and modern practices such as cupping, herbal remedies, gua sha, and health education to offer inclusive, patient-centered treatments that reflect community health. As a result, many of these businesses are considered embedded in local culture.

Currently, TCM businesses enjoy a rich economic environment in Redmond. In terms of local business activity and revenue, viable businesses such as Vibrant Chinese Medicine LLC report around $500,000 annually, with teams of around three employees. Reports from Swiss Acupuncture and Mix Acupuncture and Wellness also indicate good demand along with stable revenue, accepting insurance and offering extensive services. Furthermore, there are many educational opportunities nearby in Seattle, such as the Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine (SIEAM), offering a stable educational pipeline for economic sustainability.

Regarding the legal landscape now, TCM businesses and their practitioners operate under a well-regulated framework in Redmond. Washington established its own Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine Practitioner (AEMP) licensing in 2019, setting the legal framework for TCM in the Redmond area. To acquire a legal license, TCM practitioners must have an accredited education, pass the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) exams, and meet documentation standards. However, there is a level of national certification instability, with bodies like NCCAOM facing sustainability issues and debt. But overall, TCM and practitioners have increased legal and operational freedom.

Conclusion

As can be seen above, Chinese American businesses in Redmond and the greater Washington area leave behind a legacy of progress rooted in exclusion and discrimination. Even with their vastly different niches like laundry, food, and medicine, one thing that they all share in common is a profound history of marginalization and perseverance. The trajectory of these businesses is shaped by unwavering resilience against scrutiny and xenophobia, a clear testament to the willpower and strength of the Chinese community. Given the circumstances, it is no small feat that these self-made businesses now enjoy a rich economic, cultural, and legal environment in the greater Redmond community, leaving a lasting imprint on the past and the years to come.