Story and Photos by Hsing-Chia Hsieh
FOR THE past 30 years, Chinatown Market, located at 1215 Price Street, has played a vital role in Savannah.
It has served not only as a wholesaler and retailer for the local community but also as a sanctuary for international students looking for a taste of home.
Sadly, owner Jane Lee has announced her retirement, and the store will officially close its doors on December 31, 2025.
Originally from China, Jane Lee and her late husband, David, started the business in 1996. After David passed away in 2018, Jane continued to run the business with the help of a dedicated team of long-time employees.
This team includes Mr. Elliot Sheffield (30 years of service), Mrs. Fang Jiang (20 years), Mr. Willie Hatchet (17 years), Mrs. Dominique Wallace (13 years), and so on.
Throughout the last three decades, the store has received weekly deliveries of fresh produce and goods from New York and Atlanta. It has served a diverse customer base, primarily from East and Southeast Asian countries such as China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Laos.
Local Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese restaurants have also relied on its wholesale services, helping to shape the culinary landscape of Savannah.
“Our customers are not only Asian but also our local neighbors,” said Mrs. Fang Jiang. “We have many local customers who come here specifically because they are interested in international foods and products.”
Owner Jane Lee shared her pride in the business:
“Serving the community is what I am most proud of. We have helped individuals and restaurant owners find the specific ingredients they need. Whenever someone asked for a certain product, we did our best to find it. We also made sure our wholesale customers always received a fair price.”
The staff are also feeling the weight of the closure. Mr. Willie Hatchet, 70, who has worked in the meat department for 17 years and is also retiring, said, “I enjoy working here. It’s been a great experience meeting all the people.”
Mr. Elliot Sheffield, the store’s longest-serving employee, added, “It was truly a blessing to work here and be part of this team.”
As the business winds down, the store is offering 20% off all retail products as a final gesture to its loyal customers.
“It brings me much pain to say goodbye to this store,” Jane Lee admitted. “I’m going to miss the life here, but I’m glad we were able to serve the community for so long.”
Thirty years of history cannot be easily packed into boxes, but as the final customers check out this December, its loss will be felt not only in shopping carts, but in the everyday routines of neighbors, students, and restaurants.
For many Savannahians, the market has been more than a store: it has been a bridge between cultures, tastes, and memories. Until the last day, customers continue to stop by to stock up, to say thank you, and to say goodbye.
