Beloved ‘Mama Shiou’ celebrates retirement

After more than four decades, family-owned Twin Dragon Restaurant on 3021 S. Broadway in Englewood has closed. Owner Shiou Y. Jefferson, 75, announced the closure early April and hosted a farewell party in celebration of her retirement on April 30, alongside her son Joe Jefferson.

“There’s been a lot of blood, sweat, and tears,” said Joe.

Twin Dragon has evolved into a community hub for business meetings, presentations and/or regular meetups for those with common interests.

Birthday celebrations, family gatherings and even engagements have occurred throughout the 47-year history of the restaurant. For some families, the restaurant has served four generations of customers.

“Mom makes the best dumplings,” said Joe. The dumplings, shrimp fried rice, and sesame chicken were staples and commonly ordered for takeout, feeding the neighborhood.

Early Years

Some of Shiou’s fondest memories come from serving favorite celebrity sports stars such as players from the Denver Broncos and the Denver Nuggets, and even their cheerleaders.

Joe recalls former Denver Broncos player Tom Jackson, who retired after 29 years from ESPN, helping him with homework after school. Those connections have forged a deep value of service to the community.

For most Asian immigrants, the restaurant industry has become the gateway to the American dream.

“The restaurant business is the pathway to integration,” he said. “It has represented a beacon of opportunity.”

Before college, Joe resented the long hours of the restaurant business. He started to appreciate the sacrifice his mother made for him during his college years and started understanding the restaurant became a conduit of service.

“By being of service, my mom gained some influence into the community,” he said. “The doors of opportunities are wider.”

A Deserved Retirement

Known and adored as “Mama Shiou” to her community, she plans to stay active during her retirement years by volunteering for the International Leadership Foundation (ILF) as the chair of the Colorado chapter.

“AAPI Americans have a unique history of both persecution and prosperity here in Colorado and the US. We have overcome many unique hurdles to realize our ‘American Dreams’ through supporting each other in our local community,” she said.

“I have been inspired by ILF to create the Colorado chapter and to support the next generation of AAPI leaders in Colorado by creating better access to world-class education and leadership development in civics, law and business. Our youth have so much to offer to America’s next generation.”

After the stresses of the pandemic and the struggle with staffing shortages, she is emotional but ready to move on. Already, Mama Shiou is planning to write an autobiography of her journey from North Korea to the United States.

Shiou’s family moved from China to Korea, where she was born before the split between the north and the south. After war broke out, the family fled the farm and relocated to South Korea. Eventually, she was able to attend college in Taiwan, earning a bachelor’s degree in history and education; she later got a master’s degree in Japan.

The condensed version of her immigrant journey is already shared through a 12-minute video posted on YouTube in her native language of Mandarin Chinese. Completed with vintage photos, a slideshow was presented on April 30 of her years as the owner of Twin Dragon Restaurant.

It was the first time for both mom and son to view the slideshow along with loyal restaurant diners and customers.

What’s Next

The family is grateful for all the support from the local community and all the memories they have made at the restaurant.

Currently, Joe Jefferson serves as Englewood’s PresidingMunicipal Judge, and previously served as Mayor of Englewood and was the first known Chinese American mayor in Colorado history.

The Jeffersons sold the building to another restaurateur but are unsure of their plans. Mama Shiou plans to travel to old stomping grounds such as revisiting her grandfather’s village in China, checking out her graduate school in Japan, or returning to South Korea.

Asian Avenue Magazine wishes Mama Shiou a happy and fulfilling retirement!