Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Pan American Cafe Christmas Parties -1940s

King Mar, being the avid amateur photographer, took photos of the Pan American Cafe Christmas parties every year.  I've viewed these photos over the years including those in the 50s when the photos including my family and other Chinese relatives.  

From the photos, it looks like the waitresses enjoyed working at the Pan American.  From the other correspondences I posted, they liked working for King.  And they seem to like working with each other.  The Pan American was always busy so wages plus tips must have been decent.  Like the Rosie the Riveters, they worked outside the home to earn an income.  If you worked at this downtown business, you also got to meet a lot of the movers and shakers in the Wichita community.  Again, from the letters I've posted, King was well liked by the Wichita business community.

Dec 20, 1943 party

 
Dec 20, 1943, on the back of the photo were names of those who must have asked for
a copy of the photo: Charlotte, Clara, Gladys, Bessie, Mable, Bula and Opal.

This photo was not dated but probably not from the 1943 party. 
The name Loretta was on the back, so that must be Loretta handling the
five plates of food like any professional waitress. That's Donna with the pipe.
Looks like steaks on those plates.
 
 
 Dec 22, 1947
King with two ladies at the Pan American party, perhaps waitresses.



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