Then, with a sudden dip and shake, the lion began his dance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Inside the tight aisles, the bright red-and-gold body swayed past hanging clothes and stacked snacks, filling the small shop with movement and sound.<\/p>\n
The crash of cymbals and the steady boom of drums spilled into the store as the lion lurched forward, blinking and snapping its jaw. Customers outside pressed themselves to photograph, laughing nervously as the creature leaned in close. A few children reached out, patting the lion\u2019s head as it bobbed up and down.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_9742.jpg\")
Lion dancers performed as fireworks lit up during a Chinese New Year celebration in Fresno\u2019s Chinatown on February 28. Gisselle Medina | Fresnoland<\/p>\n
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Duran watched as the lion approached a head of lettuce hanging near the entrance.<\/p>\n
At every stop, the lion \u201ceats\u201d the lettuce, a symbol of wealth and prosperity, before scattering the leaves back out to spread abundance within the space.<\/p>\n
\u00a0As part of a long-standing Chinese New Year tradition in Fresno\u2019s Chinatown, the troupe visits 12 local businesses, blessing each one in turn.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In exchange, business owners offer red envelopes filled with monetary donations. The contributions help sustain the performers and musicians who carry on the tradition and provide scholarships for Chinese American students.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was marvelous and an honor to experience it for the first time and to learn about the culture,\u201d Duran said. \u201cNow I can tell the story to my grandkids. Being involved in another culture besides our own \u2014 it was a great experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Duran said the shop was created as an ode to the afternoons she and her cousin spent at their grandmothers\u2019 homes, places where you could always find little odds and ends tucked away in a drawer or cabinet. That spirit now fills their store, its shelves stocked with snacks, toiletries, handmade bags and small trinkets.<\/p>\n
They also offer hot coffee, water, and keep prices low so unhoused neighbors can come in for a cup of oatmeal for a dollar.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want this store to help the community,\u201d Duran said.<\/p>\n
Opening in Chinatown felt intentional, she added, like the store was a necessity in the neighborhood.<\/p>\n
This Chinese New Year marks the Year of the Horse<\/a>, according to the Chinese lunar calendar. Celebrated by millions around the world, it is a time for cultural traditions, family reunions, and hopes for good fortune in the coming year. This year the celebration officially fell on Feb. 17, kicking off the 16-day Spring Festival.<\/p>\n The lion dancers in Fresno celebration took place on Feb. 28, when the Chinatown Fresno Foundation<\/a> managed to schedule the lion dancers. Jan Minami, director of the foundation, said they always try to schedule the celebration as close as possible to the official start date, but this year the lion dancers were fully booked, and the chosen date worked best for local businesses.<\/p>\n The lions made stops at multiple businesses, including Esperanza\u2019s Cocina<\/a>, La Elegante<\/a>, Ho Ho Kafe<\/a>, and La Nueva Reyna<\/a>, performing traditional blessings for prosperity and good fortune.<\/p>\n The lion dancers always begin at Central Fish Company<\/a>. Morgan Doizaki, owner of the shop, said the tradition helps build connections across communities, especially for young people.<\/p>\n \u201cIf they can experience good memories in Chinatown then our future is bright,\u201d Doizaki said. \u201cThere\u2019s a gap of people that think there\u2019s a stigma to it. This is not just Chinatown, there\u2019s Black and Latino businesses. In my opinion, this is downtown because it\u2019s diverse.\u201d<\/p>\n For John Salazar, owner of Ofelia\u2019s Barber Shop<\/a>, the lion dancers\u2019 visit is more than just a tradition, it\u2019s a connection to Chinatown\u2019s culture. His business has welcomed the dancers every year since the early 2000s.<\/p>\n \u201cIt feels like you\u2019re part of the culture in Chinatown,\u201d Salazar said. \u201cIf we don\u2019t keep it going, it\u2019ll just die down.\u201d<\/p>\n He noted that the neighborhood has been neglected for years, and many people aren\u2019t aware of the local businesses tucked into the area.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThrough Chinese New Year, people can learn about the tradition and about the businesses here \u2014 that\u2019s a blessing in itself,\u201d Salazar said.<\/p>\n Chinatown is continuing efforts to bring the community together with a pop-up showcase called \u2018Meet Me in Chinatown<\/a>.\u2019 The event, set for selected Fridays and Saturdays in April at the historic KOMOTO\u2019s building, will feature local vendors, artists, and businesses, giving residents another chance to explore and support the neighborhood.<\/p>\n Support our hyperlocal reporting with a donation today. <\/p>\n Every week we bring you deeply reported stories about the essential issues facing our region. Please help us continue our work by becoming a monthly member. <\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n \t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_0016.jpg\")
A lion dancer about to \u201ceat\u201d lettuce, a symbol of wealth and prosperity, at Central Fish Company.
Gisselle Medina | Fresnoland<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_0004.jpg\")
A Chinese New Year performer posing inside Yoshi WORLD. Gisselle Medina | Fresnoland<\/p>\n