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Ruby Gum Seung Mar Chow was born in Seattle, WA, (06/06/1920-06/04/2008), but also lived in New York, NY. She opened Ruby Chow's, making it one of the leading Chinese restaurants in Seattle. The business and political elite frequented this establishement, and, according to longtime Seattleite, Jean Godden, "To receive an invitation to celebrate Chinese New Year at Ruby's was the sign you had arrived." (See Jean Godden, "Ruby and Shirley," "http://www.crosscut.com/history/14934/Ruby+and+Shirley/ Accessed 06/16/2008) Ruby Chow was long an influential figure in the city, and she helped to co-found the Wing Luke Museum in the International District, in honor of City Councilman, Wing Luke, who died in a plane crash. She was the first Asian-American to become a member of the King County Council in 1973. In honor of her work for the county, Ruby Chow Park was established in 1990. King County also named the 8th floor of its Chinook Building for her.

Beginning in 1948, Ruby Chow operated this restaurant with her husband of 70 years, Ping Chow. Bruce Lee, the martial arts actor, worked as a waiter at Ruby Chow's. He also lived in the building's attic for a time. This former residence featured a pagoda covering the front entrance. The restaurant was located nearby to Seattle University and the Swedish Hospital Medical Center.

Demolished, replaced with a parking lot.

PCAD id: 12096