Wishing Tree at Beverly Center. Art courtesy Beverly Center.
Chinese New Year Starts at Malls
Here’s more proof of the growing importance of dollars from Chinese tourists, as well as Americans of Chinese heritage. Some of Southern California’s big malls are holding major events to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Los Angeles’ Beverly Center is holding its second annual Lunar New Year celebration, it will run through Feb. 28. In the mall’s center court, there’s a Wishing Tree, which is surrounded by Chinese art. For those who spend more than $500 or more at the center during February, they will be presented with red envelopes which symbolize the New Year. The envelopes will carry gift cards.
Westfield Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. will produce a celebration on Feb. 15 with New Year décor, cultural exhibitions from Chinese American Museum and Japanese American National Museum, and retail promotions, said a Westfield Santa Anita spokesman.
