DAVID HENRY

Jiashan Lane Market Man

Interview by Ned Kelly

Originally from Rhode Island, David Henry has been living and working in Shanghai for 25 years. Having taught English and Intercultural Communications at Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) for 20 years, 12 years ago he started a coffee roasting business, Jonas Emil Coffee Roasters. He’s also the man behind Jiashan Lane Market, which is back soon, COVID permitting. Time to catch up for a chat, we thought…

How did Jianshan Lane Market come about? Back when we started the coffee roasting business, there were a number of expats in Shanghai that had started businesses in the F&B area. It was hard to find good ‘foods from home’ that we missed, so they got the notion to make and sell these home-style foods.

Amelia Heaton-Renshaw’s Amelia’s British Jams and Chutneys, James Stockwell’s British Kitchen, Lexie Comstock’s Strictly Cookies, Lexie Morris’, Lollipop Bakery, Christine Asuncion’s, Spread the Bagel, the Pierogie Ladies, Ambrosia Dairy, Jonas Emil Coffee, Wine Guy. We made a pretty close-knit group.

There were limited venues for selling these goods: school fairs at the few international schools in Shanghai at that time, women’s clubs and the like, and we’d see each other at these events.

Then the Jiashan Market group opened a repurposed factory complex in the neighborhood where many of us lived and worked. They were looking for a European-style farmers market to bring people to their site, which was hidden away between Jiashan Lu and Shaanxi Nan Lu, and they engaged Amelia to organize it.

“It was hard to find good ‘foods from home’ that we missed, so they got the notion to make and sell these home-style foods“

When and how did you take over organizing the market? From the beginning, the market has been organized by one of the vendors of the market. Amelia Heaton-Renshaw was a charismatic personality who brought people together. She then sold her business, Amelia’s Jams and Chutneys, to Sarah and James Butler and they took over the market for a few years, and then they moved on to bigger and better things.

It seemed like the market ought to be continued by one of the vendors. Part of what made it work was the almost communal spirit of the group. The market wasn’t quite big enough to support a dedicated administrator. I had been there since the first market and we had made it our business location for Jonas Emil Coffee, so it made sense to take on the organizing responsibilities.

For people who have never been to Jiashan Market, what can they expect? Expect a small, intimate market. The courtyard holds 30-plus vendors. The space is not expandable. This creates a need for us to be selective in vendors to provide an interesting mix of quality products. Expect to experience the ‘Jiashan Vibe,’ a relaxed, familial feeling as friends meet over food and drink from our local food vendors while catching up on personal news since last they met. What do you have planned for the next few months? First, getting past the pandemic. We just learned that we cannot open in September due to the recent outbreak in China. In Shanghai, markets are regulated by the district level Business Bureau. So regulations vary from District to District.

However, we are optimistically planning for a good season starting in October. We are planning to bring back live music with artists like Lana Ra and Yusuf and Sarah Mou and Ismael, who added so much atmosphere to our markets last season.

We are also planning to do themed markets. We had some exceptionally talented fashion artists last season and are looking into doing a special fashion market, probably as an additional market.

The big news is we will have a regular monthly market at Ambassy Court. We have had several markets there in the past in conjunction with Ambassy Club events. It’s a lovely tree-lined location ideal for a neighborhood market.

We’re also looking for another suitable location where we can hold a regular monthly market.

> Jiashan Lane Market takes place every first and third Saturday of the month. Lane 550 Shaanxi Nan Lu, by Jianguo Xi Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai

READING CORNER

Book recommendations from That’s editorial team:

Once Upon a Crime

This short story collection features six mini-mysteries from all over the globe. From the award-winning series Murder Most Unladylike, Robin Stevens’ latest has received high praise from critics. The Financial Times called it, “A skilful blend of golden era crime novel and boarding school romp . . . Top class.”

Bad Panda

Swapna Haddow highlights the struggles of being cute and cuddly. In Bad Panda, we discover Lin – the ‘cutest panda in the world.’ She is shipped off to a local zoo away from her beloved brother, which ultimately changes her into the meanest and un-cute animal in the zoo.

CLASS CLOWN

Bully Beware

Ten students were given administrative punishments after bullying a 14-yearold female student in Anhui province. A video of the incident, where the student’s classmates slapped her in the bathroom, went viral online. One group member even said in the video, “Don’t be afraid, I will take responsibility.” Among the bullies, two were exempted from punishment since they were under 14 years old.

HEALTHY HABITS

Citrus Charge

While drinking enough water each day is key to a healthy life, add a little lemon in your first cup of the day for an extra boost. According to the Cleveland Clinic, drinking lemon water aids in digestion as it helps break down food. It’s also a solid dose of vitamin C – half a lemon gives us more than a sixth of our daily dose needed. There’s research that indicates lemon water can have a positive impact on weight loss. It’s an easy habit to pick up that should yield good results for years to come.

Need Imported & Organic Groceries at Great Prices? Then Look No Further

Introducing The Company You Didn’t Know You Needed, Now Available Throughout China

If you’ve never heard of Epermarket or Nogogo, allow us to begin with a little bit of a back story.

In 2011, when the age of online grocery ordering was just at its inception, Epermarket led the pack by launching in Shanghai with just five staff and 700 products. By the end of 2016, the growth radius grew to include deliveries with their own vehicles to Suzhou and Kunshan, and later Hangzhou. Additionally, 2019 saw the development of a 6,500-square-meter, seven temperature-controlled warehouse that allowed for nationwide delivery. By 2020, Epermarket added Nogogo to its portfolio – thus adding Shenzhen, Guangzhou and the rest of Southern China into its own delivery range – and opened the first brick and mortar store, Dailies, in Gubei, plus Brasserie, a casual French family dining venue, in Qingpu.

But why is this an ‘APP you didn’t know you needed?’ What makes them who they are and solidified their position at the top of the food chain (pardon the pun).

PRODUCT RANGE

Epermarket now carries approximately 8,000 products, a far cry from those early days, whilst Nogogo also boasts a range of more than 3,500. With over 70% of these items imported from around the globe, including one of China’s largest organic range (both local fruit and vegetables as well as imported), they offer a comprehensive range of quality and safe products for you and your family... and at competitive prices.

Boasting not one but three white labels, Epermarket and Nogogo fill gaps in the range which really sets them apart from others out there.

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SERVICE

Epermarket and Nogogo operate their own delivery fleet across six cities; Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Kunshan. Offering same day delivery in convenient two-hour slots in their home cities of Shanghai and Shenzhen, with next day delivery offered everywhere else. Additional major cities throughout China are serviced via third party operatives. If you’re fortunate enough to live nearby their warehouse facilities in Qingpu or Shekou, you’ll be able to get delivery inside one hour.

PRICING

Because of the expansive company size, Epermarket and Nogogo can offer competitive pricing to customers due to their large purchasing power. On average, prices on the new Nogogo are approximately 10% lower than before the acquisition, and due to their concept as a fully online venture, they’re able to offer great deals and prices that brick and mortar stores can’t. Check out the Discover More and Promo section on their homepage for daily deals and offers, and also the Lower Price stickers on certain products that ensure these items are as competitive as anywhere else!

HOW TO DISCOVER

Both brands operate three platforms, their websites, mini programs, and APPs. Visit www.epermarket.com or www.nogogo.cn to discover more, or scan the mini program codes below to instantly browse.

Now is a great time to discover Nogogo for the first time, as you can enjoy 10% off your first order, by simply adding the code NEWNG into the code box when you check out for the first time if your order is over RMB300, this is available from now until the end of 2021.

For Epermarket customers in Shanghai, Zhejiang or Jiangsu, place your first order of more than RMB190 and get a free bottle of prosecco! Plus both brands offer plenty of great discounts and coupons on your second and third orders!