Future of Xingfucun Looks Dire: Many Favorites Set to Close

A number of business owners in Xingfucun area are facing relocation after sudden notice of construction was distributed earlier this month.

The renovation along Xingfucun Zhonglu is a continuation of Beijing’s efforts to abolish swaths of businesses across the city in order to revamp unrefined streets and temper the city center's migrant population. Previously, Northern parts of Sanlitun and all-around favorite Lamb Leg Street (Beixinqiao Santiao) fell victims to the ambush of renovations. For weeks, rumors of construction in Xingfucun were floating about, but following a recent visit and confirmation from a number of venue owners, we can mourn in certainty the loss of many beloved establishments in the area.

Xingfucun Zhonglu

Anchor Bar (pictured at top), a popular pub among Beijing's LGBT and sports-minded community, is one of the businesses that will soon close its doors. Owner Sherry Zhao said that she was given a notice on March 6 via a paper posted outside of her establishment. Zhao also told the Beijinger, “The construction will begin on March 30. We were only given three weeks to deal with it.” Business owners on Xingfucun Zhonglu who will be affected by the construction were also recipients of the notice.

The paper states that construction will take place in the areas surrounding Zhuangnanli Building No. 1, and is in direct opposition to the illegal structures that are borne from 开墙打洞 kāi qiáng dǎ dòng, or "building walls and digging holes." This is the same cleaup that is also currently threatening Dongcheng's F&B hub Fangjia Hutong. The notification says that a meeting was conducted on March 6 to address the concerns of all business owners and/or homeowners in the area.

The government initiative is part of a campaign to tackle 开墙打洞 kāi qiáng dǎ dòng or "building walls and digging holes"

Despite this, there remains a level of uncertainty about the future of businesses in Xingfucun. A business owner of a prominent restaurant in Xingfucun who wished to remain anonymous due the sensitivity of the situation claimed, “The specific time [of the construction] is uncertain.” He had received a tip that the men in yellow hats would arrive in mid-April and until then the owner is holding out luck. “If the government pays attention, hopefully there will be more specifications. If we can stay, that would be best.”

Kuan's which only opened in October last year but was already wowing us with its comforting but well made Western dishes has already been closed for a week and confirmed with the Beijinger that they got out before the construction began.

Other establishments said that they were unaware of any construction whatsoever. It seems that the east side of Xingfucun Zhonglu, past the enclave that holds Bottle, Boot, and Cigar (BBC), and where April Gourmet and O’Steak are located, will be unaffected as they were oblivious to any news of renovations. At the time of publication, Frost was unable to confirm whether or not they would be closing down as a result.

Unaffected by construction?

Upon learning that her business will be compromised, Zhao said that she “freaked out.” She added that the initial reaction was followed by frantic attempts to visit the Sanlitun Urban Management Office as well as calls to the landlord. “Then we realized that we are not going to survive this. So we started to look for new locations.”

Rollbox, a relatively newbie to the area and quick favorite thanks to their economy friendly banh mi, is another business jeopardized by the construction. Jack, the manager of the business said that he first heard of rumors of the incoming destruction through a “resourceful” friend. Then, similar to Zhao, he received a notification from officials that gave him a 20-day window to leave the premises. After getting over the initial shock, Jack began “desperately looking for a spot nearby.”

Lingerjiu Noodles

The onslaught of construction hasn’t left business owners in complete free-fall, however. Zhao is already in the process of signing a new location nearby and Jack guaranteed that Rollbox will open doors to a new location soon, saying, “We can only be better, that’s for sure!” BBC owner Douglas Williams also posted on his WeChat moments that he is looking at new locations that are bigger, hoping to add a food component to their menu.

All in all, the businesses that are confirmed to be closing their doors before the construction begins are Anchor Bar, Rollbox, BBC, and Lingerjiu Noodles. BBC will be commiserating the move with a party tonight (Mar 28) whereas Anchor Bar will be holding a farewell party tonight and tomorrow (Mar 28-29). Head over for what is sure to be a bittersweet farewell to the neighborhood.

Photos: Carmel Moersalim, Sherry Zhao

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