October 1, 2008

Golden Peacock Celebrates,
Remembers When Fairwood 'Wasn't'

Golden Peacock's Rich Tse is celebrating an important anniversary this week for his restaurant.  He celebrates not only 29 years of business in the Fairwood area, but he celebrates the history that made this business
a cornerstone of the community.

Three Generations
Rich's heritage reaches back three generations to his grandfather, who immigrated from China in 1964.  His first job upon arrival was in the restaurant business. 

"My grandfather had a restaurant on First Avenue in Downtown Seattle called the Moonlight Cafe.  He served a lot breakfasts to Navy and Army staff," said Tse.  "I can vaguely remember working there as a kid, too."  The Moonlight Cafe was eventually demolished in 1970, and condominiums replaced the building. It was also time for his grandfather to retire.

His father, Rickey Tse, also moved from The Moonlight to work the next four years as a chef at Trader Vics.  By then, the business and a desire to do more was in his blood, so he and three others opened the Yen Wor Village in 1975.  This Chinese Restaurant, located across the street from the Admiral Theater in West Seattle, still exists.

On to Bigger, Better
In 1978, Tse and one of the Yen Wor Village partners caught the entrepreneurial bug again, and Tse spotted a location that he thought had a lot of potential, the current location of the Golden Peacock.  When the restaurant was completed in 1979, the building was a stand-alone structure, located by itself on Petrovitsky. 

"Fairwood wasn't even a shopping center yet.  There was a 7-11, Apogee, Big Scoop, Butcher Baker, and the Golden Peacock.  That was it," said Rich.  "My dad always had an eye for location.  Who knew that the area would be developed they way it has?  My dad is good at predicting, and he knows a little about food," joked Tse.

From 1979, Rickey Tse grew the Golden Peacock business, developing a faithful clientele.  Son Rich grew up right alongside his dad, growing the business that he eventually bought from his father in 1995.  Even though the business is no longer his, Rickey, 77, makes the trek three days a week from his Beacon Hill home to work in son Rich's kitchen. 

"He's done it for over 50 years and he just can't sit still," said a grateful Rich.

Rich is grateful not only to his father for the work he has done to make the Golden Peacock such a success, he's also quick to note that his customers are a group he wants to thank.

"We wouldn't be here if it weren't for our loyal customers.  I'm fortunate and appreciative of them, and many of our first customers continue to visit us.  Even people who have moved away come back, which is really touching.  It really is," said Tse.

Anniversary Celebrations
The Golden Peacock is celebrating its 29th anniversary with a menu special all month.

Additionally, a celebratory day is planned for this Friday, October 3, when they will serve a complimentary anniversary cake, and Happy Hour will run all day in the bar.