Nationally respected 'Eggrolls and Jazz' venue in Woonsocket is for sale

WOONSOCKET — Walking away from Eggrolls and Jazz, a concept he created and nurtured for 45 years, won't be easy for John Chan. But when he sells his family restaurant, Chan's Fine Oriental Dining, he will find more time for his passions of painting and golf.

The iconic Rhode Island restaurant has been on the market for $275,000 for months, and Chan has yet to find the right buyer who wants to run both a restaurant and a jazz club. It's important to him that the musical venue he built remains as strong as the restaurant.

The restaurant is still open seven days a week.

He navigated COVID-19 with his Wok and Roll Drive-Thru Window, which was open for easy takeout pickup during even the height of the pandemic.

But he can't beat the clock.

Turning 70, and a widower who lost his wife, Laraine, two years ago, he is ready to retire. Running the business is not for his only child, son Jonathan.

Times are different than they were in 1974 when Chan, with a business degree from Providence College and a desire to work in the arts, took over the restaurant from his father, Ben.

Ben Chan had bought the then 60-year-old New Shanghai Restaurant in 1965. He and wife Ethel renovated it and changed the name to Chan's. Ben died in 1980.

But his son had already been booking jazz and blues musicians in the restaurant for years. In 1986, Chan doubled the size of the restaurant and added the banquet room that became the jazz club. It fueled him as he hosted the greats, including Dizzy Gillespie, Leon Redbone, Mose Allison, Duke Robillard, James Montgomery and many more. His paintings of many of the musicians hang on the walls.

John Chan: Painting feeds restaurateur’s soul

Chan was awarded an honorary doctorate of fine arts from Providence College earlier this year for his landmark club and art.

"I’ve seen too many friends retire, and then they have health issues," Chan said. "I hope to enjoy the next 10 years. I have too many hobbies and other things I’d like to try."

"I’ve enjoyed it, and I had a great run," he said. "I have no regrets."

Now he wants to get out on the golf course with his buddies, including fellow PC alums Ernie DiGregorio and Kevin Stacom.

"They are both better basketball players," he laughed.

He also golfs with the movie-making Farrelly brothers, Bobby and Peter, who grew up in Cumberland.

Chan is proud of what he was able to do at the restaurant, including all the visual art on the walls.

As he works to sell Chan's, he finds that some people want to buy it for the music and others are interested in the restaurant.

"I've basically been running two businesses," he said.

Chan owns the 6,900-square-foot building at 267 Main St., which has 100 seats in the dining room, including a horseshoe bar, and 140 in the jazz club. He also owns the parking lot. Neither is part of the restaurant purchase price, but they could be, he said.

Travel is also on his agenda. He was born in Hong Kong and went to school there until fourth grade. He would like to experience some gourmet dining there, and no doubt get more inspiration for his art.

Chan is a 20-year member of the Providence Art Club, where he has studied watercolor and oil painting. More of that work is also in his future.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 'Eggrolls and Jazz' restaurant and jazz club Chan's is for sale