Zhoucun Ruifuxiang

Zhoucun Ruifuxiang

Ruifuxiang: Beijing Ruifuxiang was established in 1893 (the 19th year of the Guangxu reign in the Qing Dynasty) and was the largest among the 24 stores opened nationwide by the Meng family. After opening, the business flourished, making huge profits daily, and quickly gained widespread fame. An old Beijing folk rhyme once circulated: “Wear a hat from Majiyuan, clothes from Ruifuxiang, shoes from Neiliansheng, and a money belt from the Four Great Hengs.” This meant that wearing a Majiyuan hat, Ruifuxiang silk, Neiliansheng shoes, and carrying money notes from the Four Great Hengs money shops on East Fourth Street was considered the height of prestige and dignity. The rhyme reflects Ruifuxiang’s esteemed status in the hearts of Beijingers, yet the origin and headquarters of Beijing Ruifuxiang were actually in Zhoucun. In the middle section of the main street, on the east side, stands a magnificent European-style building with the sign “Ruifuxiang” above the doorway. This is the former site of the original Ruifuxiang flagship store.

Founder of Ruifuxiang: Meng Luochuan, hailed as the “Oriental Merchant” and “Financial Tycoon.” Meng Luochuan was the 69th-generation descendant of Mencius. Nicknamed “Meng the Fourth Monkey” due to his cleverness and being the fourth child in the family, he showed exceptional talent in business from a young age and became a nationally renowned ethnic commercial capitalist. Newspapers in cities such as Beijing, Tianjin, and Jinan referred to him as a “financial tycoon.” He built a business empire known across the world, creating a legendary story of an Oriental merchant.