Ah Louis Store Revives Historic Lunar New Year Celebrations During Farmers' Market on January 30, 2025
Monday, January 13, 2025
TO: ALL MEDIA
FROM: Rachel Lackmann
Marketing & Communications Manager
Marketing@DowntownSLO.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AH LOUIS STORE REVIVES HISTORIC LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS DURING FARMERS’ MARKET ON JANUARY 30, 2025
The Palm Street Block Party will feature a ribbon-cutting, food vendors, and live performances
San Luis Obispo, CA — The Ah Louis Store, in collaboration with the City of SLO, and the Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market, invites the community to a special Lunar New Year Celebration on Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 6–8:30 PM. The event will take place on the 800 block of Palm Street, within SLO’s Chinatown Historic District. This year’s celebration marks the revival of time-honored Lunar New Year festivities that were once a cornerstone of our community's cultural heritage. This celebration will be a more intimate continuation of the 2024 Lunar New Year Block Party, which honored the 150th anniversary of the Ah Louis Store.
"The overwhelming response to last year's event, coupled with the deep sense of community it fostered, reaffirmed our commitment to reviving the rich traditions of San Luis Obispo's historic Chinatown," said Amber Karson of the Ah Louis Store, title sponsor and organizer of the event. "By reinstating these time-honored Lunar New Year celebrations, we honor the legacy of our predecessors and ensure that the vibrant history of our community remains alive for future generations.”
The Lunar New Year Palm Street Block Party will occur two blocks north of the regularly scheduled Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market on Higuera Street. Both events are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Signage will direct visitors to and from both events.
Detailed event information can be found at SLOChinatownHistoricDistrict.com.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony: Chong’s Candy Sign
Several years ago, the City of SLO was gifted an original neon sign that once stood at Chong’s Homemade Candy Store located at 798 Palm Street. The store was operated by Richard Chong (Gin Quong) from 1950 to 1978. To commemorate and highlight the rich Chinese history of San Luis Obispo, the neon sign was restored and installed on the parking structure at 812 Palm Street in February of 2024. To enrich the storytelling experience, a display panel featuring historical photographs and contextual information will be installed beneath the neon sign, providing passersby with a glimpse into the cultural heritage of SLO's Chinatown district.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for this historic sign and informational panels will take place on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 5:30 PM at the Palm Street Parking Garage, preceding the block party. Find more information on the project here.
Participants & Booths
The Palm Street Block Party officially opens at 6 PM in tandem with the Farmers’ Market. Participants and cultural educational activity booths located on Palm Street include the Ah Louis Store, the Cal Poly Chinese Student Association, the Central Coast Chinese Association, the City of SLO Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Inari Tea & Art Experiences, Mee Heng Low Noodle House, Ox + Anchor at Hotel SLO, the Palm Theatre, Sichuan Kitchen SLO, and Sequel Tea.
Live Performances
The Central Coast Chinese Association will share a variety of performances and programs from 6:00–6:30 PM. Last year’s performances included a classic Chinese Dance, live music, and martial arts displays. The Cal Poly Lion Dance Team will also perform from 6:30–7 PM, and Inari Tea Lounge will round out programming with a demonstration of traditional tea ceremonies beginning at 7:30 PM.
Screening at the Palm Theatre
In addition to street performances, the Palm Theatre, home of the SLO Film Center, is celebrating Lunar New Year all month long with special programming. In collaboration with Ox + Anchor at Hotel SLO, at 7 PM on January 30, 2025, guests can enjoy a special screening of The Search for General Tso at the Palm. Guests are encouraged to make a reservation at Ox + Anchor for an exclusive three-course prix fixe dinner as part of their collaborative “Indies + Eats” program. Those interested can learn more and purchase tickets at hotel-slo.com/events/indies+eats
Parking & Accommodations
All three parking structures downtown will be open all evening, including the one located at 842 Palm Street. Visitors should keep in mind that roads surrounding the Farmers’ Market boundaries close at 5 PM, and cars parked on the street within the zone will be towed. Parking information can be found at SLOCity.org/Parking.
About Lunar New Year & the Year of the Snake
Lunar New Year, also referred to as the Spring Festival, is a 15-day celebration that begins with the first new moon of the East Asian lunar calendar. Lunar New Year 2025 officially begins on January 29, ushering in the Year of the Wood Snake, which occurs once every 60 years in the Chinese zodiac. The Snake is the sixth animal in the 12-year cycle of the zodiac and represents wisdom, knowledge, intelligence, intuition, and creativity. The addition of the wood element introduces attributes such as growth, creativity, and flexibility, symbolizing a period of transformation and renewal.
About San Luis Obispo Chinatown Historic District
The San Luis Obispo Chinatown Historic District, located along the 700 and 800 blocks of Palm Street adjacent to the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, was once a vibrant hub for Chinese and Asian communities. Pioneers like Ah Louis played a pivotal role in the development of the Central Coast, contributing significantly to local infrastructure projects. Today, landmarks such as the Ah Louis Store (est. 1874) and Mee Heng Low Noodle House stand as enduring symbols of the rich cultural heritage of San Luis Obispo.
About Karson Butler Events at the Ah Louis Store
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Ah Louis Store celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2024. Open as a year-round gift shop, the historic shelves are filled with wine, local gift baskets, greeting cards, entertaining essentials, and SLO’s largest selection of holiday decor. Owners (and twin sisters) Amber Karson and Emily Butler have stewarded this historic building since 2016 through their retail division of Karson Butler Events, and have crafted thoughtful event experiences around the globe for over 20 years. They have been featured on The Today Show, The Washington Post, Martha Stewart Weddings, and more!
About the Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market
The regularly scheduled Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market will take place on Higuera Street from 6–8:30 PM. Five blocks of over 100 local vendors and entertainers will line Higuera Street. This event is free and family-friendly. To learn more about the Farmers’ Market, visit DowntownSLO.com/Farmers.
The Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market would not be possible without partnership from the City of San Luis Obispo, generous sponsorship from Dignity Health, Cal Poly, and Sunset Honda, and media sponsorship from American General Media.
Please note that pets are not allowed in the Farmers’ Market per CA Health and Safety Code 114259.5.
About the City of SLO
One of California’s first communities, San Luis Obispo was incorporated as a General Law City in 1856 and became a Charter City in 1876. San Luis Obispo operates under the Council-Mayor-City Manager form of government and provides important public services such as police, fire, water, sewer, streets, transit, parking, planning, building, engineering, and parks and recreation services to its 47,545 residents. For more information, please visit SLOCity.org.
A media kit with graphics for the Lunar New Year Block Party can be found here. A media kit for the Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market can be found here. Please contact Rachel Lackmann, Marketing & Communications Manager, for additional materials and information: marketing@downtownslo.com, or visit DowntownSLO.com. For interview requests or additional information about the Palm Street Block Party, please contact Amber Karson at amber@karsonbutlerevents.com or (805) 704-2477.
About Downtown SLO: Downtown SLO is a 501 (c)(6) nonprofit founded in 1975 whose mission is to foster an economically vibrant downtown. Downtown SLO serves the community by working on initiatives like parking and beautification efforts, coordinating special events and the weekly Farmers’ Market, supporting economic activities, and examining downtown issues.
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