L.A.’s Chinatown’s 70th anniversary

The famed landmark East Gate on Broadway stands as a tribute to Chinatown.  (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Couples walk below Chinatown’s festive lanterns as the community prepares for its 70th anniversary. The celebration, with historic photographs and a swing band, will be held Saturday.  (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Kellogg Chan, 68, stands in front of Phoenix Bakery on Broadway, famous for its strawberry cream cakes. The 70-year-old business is “an anchor for our family,” Chan said.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Ron Louie, 69, a successful architect, and his brothers still head to Chinatown weekly to help run the family’s trinket store, K.G. Louie. His parents were some of the original tenants of Central Plaza.  (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

The founding families of Central Plaza lived at a time when the Chinese were prevented from buying property, obtaining bank loans and securing desirable jobs. It wasn’t until the generation after that Chinese began to find mainstream professional success.  (Benjamin Reed / Los Angeles Times)

Traditional Chinese umbrellas decorate the storefront of Wing Wa Hing. Tourists are attracted to these souvenirs as well as silk slippers.  (Benjamin Reed / Los Angeles Times)

San Woo Express catches the attention of a man walking past.  (Benjamin Reed / Los Angeles Times)

In recent years, Chinatown has rebounded with trendy new boutiques, eateries, bars and galleries, and some of the older establishments have seen an uptick in business. “We want to be part of the redevelopment of Chinatown,” said one store manager. “This is our legacy.”  (Benjamin Reed / Los Angeles Times)