Sun Wing Wo General Store and Herb Shop

Chinese American Museum, North Los Angeles Street 425, 90012, Los Angeles

July 27, 2026 – December 31, 2027

The exhibition "Sun Wing Wo General Store and Herb Shop" recreates a historical store from the 1890s, located in the Garnier Building, which operated from 1891 to 1948. This multi-purpose space highlights the self-sufficiency of the Chinese community in response to racism and discrimination, while also catering to diverse customers, including European, Japanese, and Mexican Americans. One side of the gallery features merchandise typical of the general store, including food, clothing, furniture, firecrackers, and dishes, alongside popular Western products like cigars and perfumed soaps. Additionally, the store offered banking, postal, and letter writing services. The opposite side of the gallery showcases the herb shop, where traditional Chinese Medicine practices were available, including acupuncture and herbal remedy prescriptions, reflecting the cultural significance of these services within the community.