In 1932, a Chinese tycoon named Zhang Jingjiang built a residential neighborhood in Shanghai which he modeled after the villas of Europe. The land for the housing development was formerly used as horse stables by the British, whose racecourse was just a few kilometers east. The lovely new Jing’an Villa soon became an enclave of high-profile residents, including local politicians, successful businessmen and famous actors. Today the neighborhood remains largely the same, although many of the villas have been partitioned into smaller apartments.
One significant change to the neighborhood, however, is that the enterprising residents have begun to operate businesses on the ground floor. Some sell milk tea and coffee through their kitchen windows and antiques in their garage. Other folks have set up produce stands, beauty parlors, nail salons and dry cleaning shops.
Perhaps emboldened by their neighbors’ success, some tenants have even renovated their spaces to open stores and restaurants. Technically illegal in a residential neighborhood, most of the signage can be pulled down at a moments notice and the doors closed, concealing the businesses from prying eyes. There have been rumors that the government wants to step in, but I hope operations are allowed to continue as I have found some real gems here!
So the officials don’t bother these people? What an enterprising group of people. Mom
For the most part it seems that the officials ignore them. Though I have heard that they pull in their signs and close the doors when policeman are seen entering the lane.
So glad I got to see this area on my trip. Some really cute shops. It’s good to see people so enterprising. Mom