China Daily Global Edition (USA)
Calendar store’s date with destiny
Traditional shop hidden in an old Beijing alleyway holds key to past and future, and is a New Year’s must for the devoted
When it comes to ringing in the New Year, a spartan 20-square-meter shop in an old Beijing alleyway has been the go-to place each December for those looking to the future.
Known by some as the “Last Calendar Store”, it is a small piece of history and a reminder of a simpler time.
Jin Anguang, the 73-year-old owner, is something of a local celebrity. He has been running the shop for almost half a century and has a loyal following. He might also be the last of his kind.
The storekeeper has seen many changes over the years in the design of the calendars, a changing Chinese market and the variations in purchasing habits over the decades. But one thing doesn’t change: His calendars are popular. And like his calendars, he is a traditional. His is a local business — not online — and cash only.
The shop is often packed in late December. Between 10 am and noon, Jin is dealing with streams of customers, some attracted by its fame while others are old friends looking to grab the same calendar as last year.
The place is messy. The walls and desks are covered with calendars. But somehow Jin seems to always know where to find what his customers are looking for.
New Year nostalgia
Qian Fang, 45, has lived next to Jin’s store for two years and is a regular visitor. She said she is nostalgic about calendars and the New Year tradition.
“When I was a child, replacing the old calendar with a new one was a critical step before New Year’s Eve. It was like a ritual signaling that everything would be refreshed from the beginning with the best wishes,” Qian said.
At that time, her father’s monthly salary was only about 30 yuan, she said. A calendar cost 10 yuan. Still, it was a must-have. Other staples included fireworks, folk paintings, new curtains and dumplings, she said.
“Calendars have many practical functions besides just recording dates,” Qian said.
“My father has been living a rather normal life guided by the Chinese lunar calendar.
“His favorite is a page-a-day calendar. One of the first things he would do after getting up is tear out yesterday’s page and see what the day’s do’s and don’ts where on the calendar. It always tells you which day is the best or worst for getting married, sacrifices, and even taking a shower. He treats them as important references for his daily plan.”
Qian’s daughter also likes calendars, especially those with pictures of peonies, animals or scenery, as she is learning to paint and calendars provide bigger pieces to copy.
Jin considers his goods to be valuable collectors items.
“Quite a few of my customers buy calendars to collect the paintings and old photos,” he said. “And those picture designs reflect the changing trend of people’s life and thoughts.”
For decades, people would hang calendars that reflect their expectations about life. Scenic pictures were popular, and later best-sellers became those with beautiful celebrities, luxury cars and babies. At that time, buyers were mostly young people, according to Jin.
“Nowadays, it’s convenient to surf the internet, so celebrities don’t need to pose for calendars to get more fans,” he said.
“Cars became popular and affordable for nearly every household.”
Changing times
Back in the 1990s, it was common for people to buy dozens of calendars as New Year gifts for friends, and companies would buy in bulk — usually thousands of calendars — for their employees. Jin said that was a golden age of the calendar market.
He said there were basically three periods for calendars in Beijing: “At first, many big publishing houses produced calendars, including China Film Press and Jinghua Printing. Those factories gradually quit mass production, leaving several small workshops to handle it.
“Since 2000, because of the high cost of materials in Beijing, nearly all the printing plants have moved to South China, where I source my supplies. They have better quality and printing skills and better paper than the factories in the north.”
Jin said today he is supported by his regular customers and those who desire to keep the New Year’s tradition alive.
“Over the years, I’ve got used to my job and I’ve never thought about changing it. Many of my old friends and neighbors who have been buying calendars here for decades visit my store every year, and they tell me to stick to it,” he said.
Every time he makes a sale, Jin tells his customer, “See you next year.”
However, as some regulars have passed away, he said he really treasures his yearly meetings with customers.
“Calendars are a kind of folk custom. They have special meanings, such as life and death,” he said. “Young people now may not have the chance to understand that, for us old men, tearing out a page represents having lost a day. And when we die, the calendar will show the date as it is.”
Jin is now planning a calendar museum to show exhibits donated by friends not only in China but also from other countries. He said he will continue running his store as long as his health permits.
Many of my old friends and neighbors who have been buying calendars here for decades visit my store every year, and they tell me to stick to it.” Jin Anguang, calendar shop owner in Beijing