Family finds success, good living
Students looking for authentic Asian food no longer have to resort to Ramen noodles.
Now they can find almost any specialty food from China, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam in Logan.
Denia Wong came with her family to Logan from Hong Kong in 1994 and opened an Asian gift store in November of 1997. Though it started out as a gift store, Lotus Place now sells mostly Asian goods, along with some crafts and small gifts.
“We have the largest selection of Asian food in Logan. We have a little bit of everything,” Wong said.
She said she felt Logan would be a good marketplace for a store that offered goods for people like returned missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and others who spent time in Asia. She still feels Logan is a good market, but being located on the east side of the Macey’s complex results in less business.
Wong said she first came to the United States in 1972 to attend BYU Hawaii because she is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ and knew some friends there. She met her husband, Godfrey, in Hawaii, and after graduating, they moved to Hong Kong until coming to Logan in 1994. She said her husband was interested in a second degree in business information systems and a BYU-Hawaii professor told them about the program at Utah State University.
Several of the Wong’s six children attended USU, and Godfrey Wong is now the manager of the new Panda Express on 1400 North. He had previous managerial experience, Dania said, and he likes whatever he does.
“He knew he was going to have to sacrifice a little bit to work in Logan, but we wanted our kids to get an education,” she said.
Dania said, in Hong Kong the education system is like a pyramid, only allowing the academically superior children to go to universities. While Logan schools might not challenge kids enough and are sometimes too loose, she likes it because there are opportunities for learning about leadership and appreciating the arts.
“Kids in Hong Kong don’t have any fun,” she said. “They only study all day. Kids here are more well-rounded.”
Having come from a big-city atmosphere in Hong Kong, Dania said her kids had a hard time adjusting to Logan at first. Later, however, they loved how much free time they had instead of having to study all the time.
“In Logan, there’s not much excitement, but it’s quiet and peaceful, and more friendly,” Dania said.
The Wong’s oldest son lives in Las Vegas with his wife, and has been trying to persuade his parents to move there, Dania said. While she thinks Las Vegas is a good idea for an “empty-nest” couple, she would like to stay in Logan at least until all her children are done with school.
Her youngest son just started high school, so the Wongs and the Lotus Place will stay in Logan for at least a few more years.
-stefaniesnow@cc.usu.edu