Published August 30, 2004

Incredible tale of success
Escaping from China was first step in restaurant chain owner's venture into capitalism, American-style

When Napoleon Ching was young, leaving his homeland of China required more than a passport.

To get out, he had to avoid capture during the 10-day hike through the mountains and three-hour swim across the bay between China and Hong Kong.

By age 18, he'd tried unsuccessfully four times.

"The fifth time, I made it," he said, proud after all these years of the accomplishment.

He wanted out because the Chinese government wouldn't let him become a doctor, instead ordering him to work on a farm.

He shrugged off the consequences of being caught.

"Oh, you went to jail," he said. "I was only in the jail for 13 days because more people came and they got too crowded."

That was in 1974.

Ching is now the owner of Lansing's House of Ing and six Ingcredible restaurants.

Until last month when he closed it, he also owned Yat Wah near the Frandor Shopping Center.

Fifty-three years old and an American citizen, Ching doesn't find his success extraordinary.

He credits his customers and competition with teaching him what he didn't have the opportunity to learn in the classroom.

"I didn't even finish the eighth grade," he said. "That's my middle school. That's my high school. That's my college."

Ching has taken full advantage of that real-world education, becoming a businessman who is generous, diligent and determined, said Art Lopes, senior supply manager for restaurant supply company Stafford-Smith, Inc., in Mason.

"When he says he'll do something, he does it," said Lopes, who has worked with Ching for 15 years.

"It just seems like he and his wife are hard workers. That's why they're successful."

It was a long road.

Upon arriving in Hong Kong in 1974, Ching worked for a concessions company for two and a half years while taking English classes at night.

He then immigrated to America, where the only job he could take was working at a Chinese restaurant.

"At that point, I couldn't drive, I can't even listen, and I can't talk," he said.

His 10 years as a House of Ing employee paid off when in 1987 owner Mike Ing sold him the business.

"It's nice to work from the bottom to the top," Ching said. "When employees cut corners or something, you know about it. I know how to cook the egg foo yong, I know how to bus the table."

The following year, he purchased Yat Wah. Ching said he decided to close the popular 30-year-old restaurant to consolidate his operations, not because Yat Wah's business was failing.

Now, he's got his sights on the future.

Last year, Ching spent $200,000 to renovate the South Cedar Street House of Ing.

He also hasn't ruled out expanding Ingcredible, which has grown to six stores in the past year.

"I'm the kind of person who likes to go, go, go," he said. "When we go on vacation, we still talk about work."

Constant adaptation makes Ching a good businessman, said Larry Meyer, chief executive of the Michigan Retailers Association.

"He's recognized the competition, so in order to compete, he's changing things up," he said. "That's the sign of an entrepreneur - to risk and then reinvest."

The only thing Ching admits to having trouble with?

Slowing down.

"I like to swim at the MAC," he said. "That's the best way to stay away from the business."

Contact Susan Stock at 377-1015 or sstock@lsj.com.

Owner, Classic Travel