The four‑decade staple joins a shrinking roster of mom‑and‑pop shops fighting to stay in Washington’s historic Chinatown.
Full Kee, the Cantonese eatery whose steaming bowls have warmed Washingtonians since the mid‑1980s, must vacate its H Street home after receiving a July 1 notice from its landlord. The decision paves the way for a luxury commercial project—and leaves just ten other small businesses along the corridor to carry the neighborhood’s cultural torch.
Why the sudden July 1 eviction notice worries Chinatown business advocates
Shani Shih of the Save Chinatown Solidarity Network calls the move “an alarm bell” for a community already “decimated” by redevelopment. Her group argues Full Kee and the hair salon next door were given too little time to uproot after decades of rent checks and cheery service.
Make no mistake, supporters say: losing a landmark whose yellow awning has greeted generations from D.C., Maryland and Virginia threatens the area’s identity more than any high‑rise ever could. Before diving deeper, here are the key facts at a glance:
| Key moment or figure | What it means for Chinatown |
|---|---|
| July 1 vacate notice | Full Kee told to leave for a planned luxury commercial property |
| Nearly 40 years in business | Restaurant opened in the mid‑1980s, surviving multiple boom‑and‑bust cycles |
| Only 11 small firms left | Count provided by the Save Chinatown Solidarity Network |
Advocates fear that once Full Kee goes dark, tourist‑friendly chains will rush in. Who gets to decide the future of this historic stretch of H Street?
Community groups press city leaders to safeguard the last 11 Chinatown businesses
A recently convened Gallery Place‑Chinatown Task Force lists “preserving neighborhood character” and “keeping Asian‑owned enterprises viable” as top priorities. Nevertheless, locals see little protection in place when landlords see dollar signs. “Importing big‑box, cookie‑cutter establishments is not going to carry us into the future,” Shih insists. You bet city officials will hear that refrain again as hearings unfold.
Could this be the tipping point for Chinatown’s cultural heartbeat? Residents argue the district must adopt incentives—tax breaks, rent‑stabilization tools, heritage zoning—before another cornerstone falls. After all, once an institution like Full Kee is gone, rebuilding trust and tradition may prove far harder than pouring fresh concrete.
What happens next—and why it matters
Full Kee has not announced relocation plans. The Solidarity Network is organizing rallies and petition drives while urging officials to pause large‑scale approvals until community voices are fully heard. For diners, the message is simple: grab a final bowl of congee while you still can and let city leaders know whether luxury storefronts or living history belongs on H Street.