FRUIT" AND VEGETABLES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17965, 15 December 1921, Page 10

FRUIT" AND VEGETABLES.

AH CHEE AND COMPANY'S SHOPS. Every resident of Auckland and every visitor knows the name of Ah Chee as standing for thoi best in fruit and vegetables, Tho business was founded about 40 years ago by Mr. Ah Chee, senior, and it has developed into the largest trading concern of it? kind in Auckland, if not in the whole Dominion. This is a record to be proud of, because the enterprise wis Started in a very small way when Auckland was a very different place to what it is now. ' Tlie original store was a Mttlo shop adjoining' the present handsome premises in Queen Street. About 12 months ago Mr. Ah Chee transferred the business to his' two sons, Mr. W. Ah Chee end Mr. C. Ah Chee, and it is now run under fjhe name of Ah Chee and Company. The branch at Newmarket, with its large airy shop and brightly arranged window, has become just as popular with people in that borough and neighbouring suburbs as is /the main shop in the city, with folks whose business takes v them into Queen Street. The firm employs about jQO Lands. In addition to an immense retail business Ah Chee and Company do an extensive wholesale trade, and also a large "shipping trade, besides supplying the requirements of mapy hotels, large boardinghouses, public institutions, arid ■ private families. . Where does the firm's never-failing supply of excellent vegetables come from? The answer is that Ah Chee and Company grow most of them themselves. They own extensive market gardens at Avopdale and Mangerc, and from these'gardens is sehi in daily the bulk of the vegetables they deal in, so that purchasers are assured of everything they buy being absolutely fresh. Such lines as the firm does not grow are procured from the City Markets and are of the very bast quality. Those fnjits that are not produced in New gjesland Ah Chee and Company jmport direct from Australia, the South Sea- Islands and elsewhere. Hones the tempting array of' fruits to be «een in .the of th/two shops. Another department of the concern deals with ther, fungus which, is gathered inN6.w Zealand from fallen twes in tie bush and in remote country places, and whifib, is so highly esteemed ip China as an article of food. Great quantities of ffl edible fungus are exported yearly to the flowery Land,, and Ah Chee and Company claim to ship away no less than 80 joer cent', of the total exports, of this curious , product. They claim, also, to .he paying 'i the highest price obtainable in New; Zealand for, the fungus, most of which cornea frqm North Auckland,, v •-, • '- ■„,.