Chinatown staple Diamond Bakery closes as owner retires

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Diamond Bakery, located in the Opulence Center at 111 3rd Ave. SE, spent the Canada Day long weekend serving up its usual sweet and savory staples for one final time, with the business marking its last day Sunday.

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In a social media post, the Chinatown Business Improvement Area recommended owner Henry Chan for his 30 years running the bakery.

“Henry Chan is one of the kindest and most hard-working merchants you will find in Chinatown and we wish him all the best in his retirement,” they wrote.

Ward 7 Coun. Terry Wong is a former executive director of the Chinatown BIA.

He said Diamond Bakery would be missed, but that there would be an opportunity for a new business to make its home in Chinatown.

“Diamond Bakery has been a Calgary favorite and certainly a Chinatown go-to for BBQ pork buns, egg tarts and deep-fried pork dumplings that we’re going to miss,” Wong said.

“We wish the owner a great retirement and look forward to another great Chinatown cultural offering.”

The city council recently approved a plan that aims to grow the historic Chinatown while preserving the downtown area’s cultural heritage.

That plan will involve new infrastructure development, including mixed-use residential-commercial buildings and public spaces, with developers needing to meet certain Asian esthetic requirements in their designs.

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Twitter: @jasonfherring

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