Social media is a trip, man
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – To sound completely unprofessional, and awkwardly familiar, social media is a trip, man. The wonder that is Facebook/Instagram/X (formerly Twitter)/Snapchat/TikTok/etc., has simultaneously brought us closer than ever and cast us farther apart than we could have ever imagined. We’ve seen long-lost relatives reunited, hospital bills paid by crowdfunding and communities organized to make a sick kid’s day better. We’ve also seen dismissive and outright rude comments made to and about strangers, people shamed for… well… everything, the rise of “trolling” and every other form of manipulation or lying that we could have ever imagined. And, those are just examples from my own status updates.
If you are from the La Crosse area, by now, you have probably seen this post…
If you aren’t familiar, let me summarize: Someone took to a Facebook group to ask the, potentially innocuous, question, “What’s going on with the Super Buffet building?” That question was met with some people explaining that the building was once the Avalon Ballroom, but they weren’t sure what it was today. Other people explained that it was, and still is, a Chinese buffet despite some setbacks over the years. And then there was another group that said things about their neighbors that I shutter to think they would say were they face to face with those neighbors.
That is where Christine Chen comes in.
Christine (or Ceci as some of you might know her) is the daughter of Dong Quan Chen and Yan Pan. They own the Super Buffet and the building in question. Christine now lives in the Milwaukee area and says this all started when she was home visiting for the Chinese New Year with her fianceé, John. She says they were driving around the area so she could show him the town she grew up in and she saw a lot of chain restaurants and big box stores and far fewer of the small, family-owned, businesses she remembered growing up with, “I was telling him that, when I was living here just 4 or 5 years ago, there were a lot more small businesses. That, this is a town for small businesses. It’s not for big chains, really. I was kind of saddened by it.”
Then, a few weeks later, she saw the original post and the comments that followed. She says she was flooded with a variety of emotions but sat with it for a while to collect her thoughts and not speak from an emotional state. When she finally took her digital pen to pad, what came out was a moving and beautiful tribute to her family, what’s left of the “American Dream” and a level-handed reminder that real people exist behind all of those pixels you scroll through online. She talks about growing up and not realizing how special that time was for her and her family; about embarrassment in things then that she’s immensely proud of now; and, about how it’s only after things are gone that we wish we could have them back or do it all over again.
That is where we come in.
Christine told me that a lot of people have been reaching out to the Chens. News agencies, past and current customers, and people of all sorts have been asking her and the family to talk about the post and its virality. If you’re aware of the original post or its response, then you have also seen that people are going to the restaurant and enjoying Chen’s food. However, Christine told me that her dad said he would be happy if another customer never came to his restaurant but, instead, went to all the other small businesses in town. If they remembered the local business again and made them thrive. Christine added, “We are not the only family. This is not the only restaurant or business that is going through this. A lot of small businesses in La Crosse are struggling. The message we want to send is to do something about it before it’s too late and they are gone.”
There were a couple of things that Christine wanted to say to all of the supporters and people who are visiting the restaurant and reaching out. Of course, thank you. The response has been overwhelming and unbelievably pleasant. For those asking, she is planning on visiting home again soon, if for no other reason, than to help her parents out at the restaurant. For those going to the restaurant, she asks that just be patient. They might not be fully prepared for the influx of business that their daughter has brought their way. Though they are immensely grateful.
As a very wise person once said, social media is a trip, man. What started as a question posted in a Facebook group, turned into inspiration for one daughter to set the record straight, and hopefully will become a memory when you’re choosing where to eat or shop.
Christine Chen’s response
A few weeks ago, I came across a post that questioned what was going on with this establishment. I’m here to clarify and tell its story.
I’m sorry this may take a few moments to read.
First of all, I’d like to thank everyone for the kind comments. It means a lot. For the people that didn’t have nice things to say, please remember that real people are affected by your comments. Remember that your friends, family, and children could be reading your comments. Did you really mean what you said? What was heartbreaking for me was recognizing some of you, and remembering the good moments in time that’s passed.
Hi. I’m Christine Chen. Some of you may know me as Kris or Ceci, or “Invisible”, or the little smart-mouthed girl that was behind the cash register/clearing your table/refilling your drinks or all!!
This establishment was formerly Nino’s Steakhouse, Avalon Ballroom, House of China, Dragon Buffet, and finally, Super Buffet. People still come to reminisce the past. Older couples have told me they met here and danced when they were younger. This establishment holds many different stories for many people. This is mine.
Super Buffet. 206 Copeland Ave.
This restaurant is owned by my parents, Dong Quan Chen and Yan Pan. They acquired the building 17 years ago in 2007. My parents came to America in hopes of a better life for their 3 children: my sister, Vicky, my brother, Leo, and myself. This building did just that. This building gave my family and myself a chance in America. My parents came here with no money, no family, no shelter, and most impressively, no English. They came with HOPE and that is what this building represents to us.
Growing up, I hated this building. I hated being there. I hated working there. I hated not being able to hang out with my friends because I had to work. And most importantly, I hated that I never got a chance to be a kid. I remember my parents telling me to invite my friends over to the restaurant, but I was embarrassed. I hated that my parents always made me take those colorful square cakes to school for other kid’s birthday parties. I didn’t want to be known as the weird Chinese kid (which I was anyway). I vividly remember a boy saying “Not these again”. Super embarrassing.
Looking back now, I’m proud. I’m proud to say that I grew up in that building. I’m proud that my parents came here with nothing and made an impact, whether it be good or bad. I’m proud of the friends and connections I made. I’m proud of every experience I’ve had. I remember the good moments: becoming friends with you guys and your kids and taking them into the playroom, my birthday parties that I was ashamed to have, playing tag around the restaurant, and so much more.
This building used to be so much more than what it is now. It used to be so lively. Loud music, people talking over each other, waitresses tripping over each other, etc.. Now I wish I could turn back time. We used to have customers that came in every Monday or Wednesday or Saturday to see us. You guys became not only our friends, but our family. You guys would always bring my mom cake for her birthday because you knew my dad forgot. You brought flowers for Mother’s Day. One of you even offered to mow our lawn because you knew they didn’t have time! You guys would come in and tell my mom and my dad to stop working, but they never did. They worked 14 hours a day and seven days a week. You guys would always make sure that my family was doing well. I thank you so deeply for that and I wish I could show each and every one of you how much that’s appreciated.
Then, in 2013, the backend of the building burned down due to a major grease fire and faulty sprinkler. My parents rebuilt it.
Then, in 2014, a city water main broke and completely flooded the first floor and basement, taking out some of the foundation. My parents rebuilt that.
Then, in 2019, COVID hit. My parents never recovered.
After COVID, people didn’t want to go to buffets anymore. Employees are hard to find, prices of food/electricity/all bills increased, and my parents morale decreased. I left for college. My sister was getting ready for college, and just this last year, my brother left for college. My parents are the only people running that whole building now. They switched to mainly takeout now.
Yes, they are looking to sell the building. However, it’s located in a flood zone and the building is not standing as strong as it used to after everything it’s been through. No, they are not money laundering (I don’t think they even know what those words mean). Yes, the parking lot is almost always empty. We have next to zero customers; at the most 3-5 customers walk in. In fact, they lose more money daily by keeping the doors open. But, my dad refuses to close the doors permanently. He stares at the front door daily, waiting for someone to walk in. He refuses to give up hope. And how can I blame him? Hope gave him a chance to provide for his family.
If there’s any fault, please don’t fault my parents for the lack of maintenance or service or whatever your grievances are. The contractors, plumbers, electricians they call decline work due to the flood zone. Even their real estate agent gave up on them. They are the most hopeful and hardworking people I’ve met to date. If there’s any fault, it’s the community that gave up on them.
This building raised me. This building put my siblings and myself through Summit Elementary, Logan Middle, Logan High School, and college. This building taught me how to work hard, how to run a business, how to manage people, and most importantly, how to persevere. I am proud to be associated with this building. If you go there, don’t go for the service or the ambience, go there for the food and the company. It may be “sketch” or “haunted”, it may be empty, it may be run down, but I know damn well that the food is good and you are valued as a customer and a friend.
Lastly, I want to say thank you. Thank you to my parents. For many people, this establishment was there for every Thanksgiving and every Christmas. Thank you for spending the holidays with us. Thank you to the community who gave my family and myself everything we have. Thank you for being our friends. Thank you for giving my family a chance.
Sadly, everything must come to an end. This is also a reminder to cherish the moment you’re in now. Cherish what you have. Cherish the people around you. Before you know it, it will all be gone. If any of you have any ideas on what to do with the building, you’re welcome to share.
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