It’s birthday No. 35 at Asia Garden Chinese & Japanese Restaurant, 660 Carriage House Drive – and the celebration – which begins today, runs through Saturday.

NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM & WNWS.COM visited with Asia Garden owner Eddie Yeh for a question and answer session.

Question: First, some background information – education and family?

Answer: After my family opened Asia Garden, I attended public school in Jackson, where I played football and graduated from Jackson Central-Merry. I played football at Sewanee – The University of the South – and earned an economics degree.

I returned home and purchased Asia Garden from my family. Joy and I married five years ago and we have a three-year-old son.

Question: Was there another direction you wanted to go with your life other than the restaurant business?

Answer: Not really. I think I was the only crazy kid in my generation that wanted to take on keeping our family-owned restaurant going.

Question: Asia Garden is having a 35th birthday celebration. Why a celebration instead of an anniversary? How long is the celebration, and what are some of the festivities?

Answer: I wanted something that the whole Jackson community could participate in and celebrate since they are the ones who have supported us from the beginning and a 35th birthday celebration seemed the right choice.

The celebration begins today (May 6) and runs through Saturday (May 11). We will be celebrating a different aspect of Asia Garden each day along with three events at the restaurant for the community to attend and enjoy.

– Monday, May 6, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Stix N’ Smokes Cigars and jazz music by Steve Patterson

– Tuesday, May 7, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Hub City Love will be lettering on reclaimed objects & Brandon Lewis on acoustic guitar will be celebrating Jackson, TN

– Thursday, May 9, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Indigo Scents Candle Co. and romantic music by Dave Thomas on keyboard and Bobby Lewis on violin.

Question: You have local talent and businesses scheduled through the week. How did this idea evolve?

Answer: It’s really kind of an extension for us … celebrating our 35th anniversary. We’re celebrating a different path we’ve been on, and we want to incorporate other small businesses that are at the beginning of their journey.

We are trying to find ways to support local businesses … Jackson has been so good to us over the years. It’s a celebration of the whole town, and it’s another way of letting the community know how appreciative we are of the support we’ve gotten over the years.

Question: Has Asia Garden had an event of this nature in the past?

Answer: No we haven’t. We wanted to try something new to mark the occasion.

Question: Asia Garden relocated to another facility in Hamilton Hills Shopping Center? How has the transition been, and how well has the restaurant been received?

Answer: It’s been wonderful to have a new location, and the feedback we’re getting from our customers is that they are really enjoying the new space. We love the new location and the possibilities it offers us. It’s going to be fun to see how we grow in the future and what we will offer our customers over the next 35 years.

For more information on Asia Garden’s 35th birthday please visit their Facebook Page or Click Here

(PHOTO: Eddie Yeh, who owns Asia Garden, right, is pictured with his mother, Kathy Yeh, center and Alfredo Castano, head Sushi chef)
David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
https://www.facebook.com/NewsTalk1015/