Calgary Chinatown Barbecue Institution Closes After 40 Years as Owners Retire
A beloved Calgary Chinatown establishment is preparing to serve its final meals this weekend, bringing an end to nearly four decades of operation as its owners enter a well-deserved retirement. Something More, the small barbecue shop located at 114 3 Avenue S.W., has been a neighborhood fixture since the 1980s, serving authentic Southern-style Chinese barbecue to generations of Calgarians.
End of an Era for Family-Run Business
Owners Ken and May Wong, both in their seventies, have decided to close their doors permanently after more than thirty years in business. The couple, along with their children Ben, Tammy, and Andy, have operated the restaurant as a true family enterprise, with the younger generation helping out since childhood.
"There's a little bit of melancholy to it," said Ben Wong, speaking about the closure. "But at the same time, we're glad for ourselves and our parents that they're able to retire and finally get a much-needed rest. We will certainly miss this place. We've spent our entire childhood, essentially, at the store."
Community Staple Served Diverse Clientele
Something More became a vital part of the Chinatown community, serving everyone from downtown office workers seeking quick, affordable lunches to seniors who relied on the shop's ready-to-steam meals for convenient, nutritious dining options. The restaurant was particularly known for its daily roasted meats prepared with various marinades, including their popular chashu—pork belly braised in a sweet and salty sauce.
The shop's longevity speaks to both the Wong family's dedication and the strong community support they received over the decades. Alice Lam, founder of Friends of Chinatown, organized a group of patrons to visit the restaurant on its final Saturday to celebrate the Wongs' retirement and enjoy one last meal.
"It's hard to do small business in Calgary, and to be able to do it for so many years just shows the incredible community that Chinatown businesses have," Lam remarked, highlighting the restaurant's significance within the neighborhood.
Balancing Family Responsibilities and Personal Lives
Maintaining the business for so many years presented significant challenges for the Wong family. Ben Wong explained how he and his sister Tammy struggled to balance their education and later careers with their responsibilities at the family shop.
"One of our biggest challenges, as we grew up, was: how do we divert time from our schooling? And as we got jobs outside the store, how do we divert the time from that to come back to the store and help out?" he explained, illustrating the sacrifices required to keep the business running.
Looking Toward the Future
Despite the sadness surrounding the closure, the Wong family views this transition positively. Ben Wong expressed that his parents feel a sense of relief about retiring and are looking forward to traveling and enjoying some well-earned rest after decades of hard work.
"We're more happy than sad," Wong added. "It is something we have been planning for—not just for our parents but for ourselves—to move on to the next chapter."
The closure of Something More represents both a celebration of the Wong family's remarkable dedication and the loss of another longstanding, family-run business in Calgary's Chinatown. As the final weekend approaches, regular customers and community members are taking the opportunity to say goodbye to a restaurant that has been part of the neighborhood's fabric for nearly forty years.
