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September 1, 1969

Golden Dragon baseball team from Taichung wins 23rd Little League World Series championship

(Click photo for more details)
(Click photo for more details)

May 3, 1970

Grand Opening of Golden Dragon Oriental Gift Shop at
1225 Waukegan Road, Glenview, IL

1970

Chicago Tribune article

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(Click photo for more details)

1973

Advertising

1974

Advertising and Article

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(Click photo for more details)

1976

Advertising and Articles

March 12, 1977

Grand Opening of Golden Dragon Oriental Imports at
662 Waukegan Road, Glenview, IL

(Click photo for more details)
(Click photo for more details)

1977

Advertising

1978

Advertising and Articles

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(Click photo for more details)

1979

Advertising and Articles

1980

Advertising and Articles

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(Click photo for more details)

November 20, 1980

The Golden Dragon logo and font was specially designed and trademarked

The Golden Dragon font was created by Bernice Ai with a set of crayons

1982

Advertising and Articles

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(Click photo for more details)

1983

Advertising

1984

Advertising

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(Click photo for more details)

1986

Advertising

1991

The 662 Waukegan Road location was sold and Golden Dragon continued doing business via antique shows

1993

Golden Dragon opened a booth space at the launch of Heritage Trail Antiques Mall in Wilmette, IL

2010

40th Anniversary

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2013

Bernice retired and moved to California

2024

Bernice’s daughter, Berni Bourekas, re-registered the Golden Dragon logo and launched this website to honor the Golden Dragon legacy for Bernice’s 90 th birthday and symbolically during the Year of the Dragon

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2025

Berni donated the original Chinese “Golden Dragon” signage from the front of 662 Waukegan Rd to the Glenview History Center. Their research showed that the Ai Family was one of the first “orientals” residing in Glenview back in 1965.

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2025 Golden Dragon ®

September 1, 1969

Golden Dragon baseball team from Taichung wins 23rd Little League World Series championship

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May 3, 1970

Grand Opening of Golden Dragon Oriental Gift Shop at
1225 Waukegan Road, Glenview, IL

Golden Dragon PH-1708b
PH-1708b
Original Golden Dragon business registration record in 1970
Original Golden Dragon business registration record in 1970
May 31, 1970 – Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Parish Notes
May 31, 1970 – Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Parish Notes
Bernice Ai behind the counter helping a customer
Bernice Ai behind the counter helping a customer
Bernice Ai helping customers
Bernice Ai helping customers
Bernice Ai’s older brother, Charles, in front of the store. The Chinese gold words “Golden Dragon” on the front of the building are in the archives of the Glenview History Center
Bernice Ai’s older brother, Charles, in front of the store. The Chinese gold words “Golden Dragon” on the front of the building are in the archives of the Glenview History Center
Side view
Side view
Back view
Back view
This location was formerly a nursery school 1946 - 1953
This location was formerly a nursery school 1946 - 1953
Original purchase record. Sold for $22,000 in 1953
Original purchase record. Sold for $22,000 in 1953
This location was formerly a launderette 1953 – 1962
This location was formerly a launderette 1953 – 1962
Original purchase record. Sold for $41,000 in 1962
Original purchase record. Sold for $41,000 in 1962
This location was formerly a Democratic Party Headquarters 1962 - 1969
This location was formerly a Democratic Party Headquarters 1962 - 1969
Original purchase record. Sold for $45,000 in 1969
Original purchase record. Sold for $45,000 in 1969
1977, Golden Dragon closed in order to make way for a new Glenview Village Hall. The “new” Glenview Police Station is on the right.
1977, Golden Dragon closed in order to make way for a new Glenview Village Hall. The “new” Glenview Police Station is on the right.
Formal invitation to the Dedication of the Glenview Village Hall at 1225 Waukegan Rd on May 24, 1981
Formal invitation to the Dedication of the Glenview Village Hall at 1225 Waukegan Rd on May 24, 1981
Other side of the formal invitation to the Dedication of the Glenview Village Hall at 1225 Waukegan Rd on May 24, 1981
Other side of the formal invitation to the Dedication of the Glenview Village Hall at 1225 Waukegan Rd on May 24, 1981
For the grand opening of the new village hall, the Ai family was invited to attend and set off firecrackers for the event.
For the grand opening of the new village hall, the Ai family was invited to attend and set off firecrackers for the event.

1970

October 19, 1970 - Chicago Tribune Article
October 19, 1970 - Chicago Tribune Article
May 31, 1970 – Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Parish Notes
May 31, 1970 – Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Parish Notes

1973

The Trib – 1973 Advertising
The Trib – 1973 Advertising
The Trib – 1973 Advertising
The Trib – 1973 Advertising

1974

June 20, 1974 Advertising
June 20, 1974 Advertising
Glenview Times – August 29, 1974 Article
Glenview Times – August 29, 1974 Article
Glenview Times – October 3, 1974 Advertisement. November 14, 1974 Article. January 30, 1975 Article covering a piano recital at the Golden Dragon Shop where Bernardine (Bernice Ai’s daughter) performed.
Glenview Times – October 3, 1974 Advertisement. November 14, 1974 Article. January 30, 1975 Article covering a piano recital at the Golden Dragon Shop where Bernardine (Bernice Ai’s daughter) performed.

1976

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Christian Science Monitor – April 30, 1976 Advertisement
Christian Science Monitor – April 30, 1976 Advertisement
Glenview Times – May 13, 1976 Article covering the ground breaking ceremony for 662 Waukegan Rd
Glenview Times – May 13, 1976 Article covering the ground breaking ceremony for 662 Waukegan Rd

March 12, 1977

Grand Opening of Golden Dragon Oriental Imports at
662 Waukegan Road, Glenview, IL

Bernice Ai breaking the ground for the new Golden Dragon location
Bernice Ai breaking the ground for the new Golden Dragon location
Golden Dragon Building
Golden Dragon Building
View from Waukegan Rd
View from Waukegan Rd
View from front bridge looking into yard with moon gate
View from front bridge looking into yard with moon gate
View of the entrance
View of the entrance
View of front door
View of front door
Exterior front display windows
Exterior front display windows
View in the snow
View in the snow
View in the snow
View in the snow
View in the snow
View in the snow
Glenview Times – March 17, 1977 Article covering the Premier Party for the Opening of Golden Dragon’s new location at 662 Waukegan Rd. The second article covered a piano recital held at the previous location at 1225 Waukegan Rd. The piano was moved from the back of the building, where we lived, to the center of the shop for the recital.
Glenview Times – March 17, 1977 Article covering the Premier Party for the Opening of Golden Dragon’s new location at 662 Waukegan Rd. The second article covered a piano recital held at the previous location at 1225 Waukegan Rd. The piano was moved from the back of the building, where we lived, to the center of the shop for the recital.
Glenview Announcements – March 1977 Articles covering the new location of Golden Dragon
Glenview Announcements – March 1977 Articles covering the new location of Golden Dragon
Sunday Sun-Times – August 28, 1977 Article covering Golden Dragon
Sunday Sun-Times – August 28, 1977 Article covering Golden Dragon
Grand Opening guests, including Robert van Deusen, Glenview Village Manager
Grand Opening guests, including Robert van Deusen, Glenview Village Manager
Bernice Ai and Terrence Ai and honored guests
Bernice Ai and Terrence Ai and honored guests
Bernice Ai on the main floor
Bernice Ai on the main floor
Mezzanine
Mezzanine
Mezzanine
Mezzanine
Mezzanine
Mezzanine
Main floor
Main floor
View looking at the stairs going up to the top level and stairs going down to the lower level. The front door is to the left.
View looking at the stairs going up to the top level and stairs going down to the lower level. The front door is to the left.
View going up the stairs
View going up the stairs
Upstairs
Upstairs
Upstairs
Upstairs

1977

Pioneer Press Papers – March 1977 Advertising
Pioneer Press Papers – March 1977 Advertising
Pioneer Press Papers – May 1977 Advertising
Pioneer Press Papers – May 1977 Advertising
Pioneer Press Papers – June 1977 Advertising
Pioneer Press Papers – June 1977 Advertising
Glenview Announcements – July 14, 1977 Advertisement honoring the Glenview Park District
Glenview Announcements – July 14, 1977 Advertisement honoring the Glenview Park District
Pioneer Press Papers – December 1977 Advertising
Pioneer Press Papers – December 1977 Advertising
Glenview Times – December 1977 Advertisement
Glenview Times – December 1977 Advertisement

1978

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Glenview Times – February 16, 1978 Advertisement
Glenview Times – February 16, 1978 Advertisement
Pioneer Press Papers – February 1978 Advertising
Pioneer Press Papers – February 1978 Advertising
Suburban Trib – February 1978 Advertisement
Suburban Trib – February 1978 Advertisement
Pioneer Press – February 9, 1978 Article covering Golden Dragon and the Chinese New Year of the Horse celebration
Pioneer Press – February 9, 1978 Article covering Golden Dragon and the Chinese New Year of the Horse celebration
Chicago Sun-Times – April 9, 1978 Article
Chicago Sun-Times – April 9, 1978 Article

1979

Glenview Times – February 15, 1979 Article covering Golden Dragon’s Ai Family celebrating the Chinese Year of the Ram. And an ad in the Chicago Magazine from December 1979
Glenview Times – February 15, 1979 Article covering Golden Dragon’s Ai Family celebrating the Chinese Year of the Ram. And an ad in the Chicago Magazine from December 1979
Glenview Announcements – September 6, 1979 Cover highlighting fire inspections with a view through the moon opening at Golden Dragon
Glenview Announcements – September 6, 1979 Cover highlighting fire inspections with a view through the moon opening at Golden Dragon
Glenview Announcements – September 6, 1979 Article on fire inspections at the Golden Dragon location
Glenview Announcements – September 6, 1979 Article on fire inspections at the Golden Dragon location
Glenview Announcements – September 6, 1979 Picture accompanying the article on fire inspections
Glenview Announcements – September 6, 1979 Picture accompanying the article on fire inspections

November 1-2, 1980

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Pioneer Press – November 20, 1980 Advertisement
Pioneer Press – November 20, 1980 Advertisement

November 20, 1980

The Golden Dragon logo and font was specially designed and trademarked

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The Golden Dragon logo is a registered trademark and is specially designed based on a rubbing from a stone sarcophagus, A.D. 212, in the midst of the Han Dynasty. It has seven ancient resemblances: head of a camel, horns of a stag, ears of a cow, neck of a serpent, scales of a fish, claws of an eagle and paws of a tiger.

The Golden Dragon font was created by Bernice Ai with her daughter’s crayons after the village signage committee rejected all of the professionally created fonts that Bernice had submitted. This font was approved and is used today.

1982

Dec 1, 1982
Dec 1, 1982
Advertisements in the Chicago SunTimes and Chicago Tribune, November and December 1982
Advertisements in the Chicago SunTimes and Chicago Tribune, November and December 1982
Glenview Announcements – June 3, 1982 Article about Golden Dragon
Glenview Announcements – June 3, 1982 Article about Golden Dragon

1983

December 11, 1983
December 11, 1983
Chicago Tribune and Chicago Magazine, January 1983 Advertisements
Chicago Tribune and Chicago Magazine, January 1983 Advertisements

1984

Chicago Sun-Times – December 16, 1984 Article highlighting Golden Dragon
Chicago Sun-Times – December 16, 1984 Article highlighting Golden Dragon

1986

Pioneer Press – December 11, 1986 Advertisement
Pioneer Press – December 11, 1986 Advertisement
Promotional Map of Glenview 1986, Golden Dragon is near the end of Waukegan Road at the bottom left.
Promotional Map of Glenview 1986, Golden Dragon is near the end of Waukegan Road at the bottom left.

2010

Celebrating Golden Dragon’s 40th Anniversary
Celebrating Golden Dragon’s 40th Anniversary
Celebrating Golden Dragon’s 40th Anniversary
Celebrating Golden Dragon’s 40th Anniversary

2025

Berni donated the original Chinese “Golden Dragon” signage from the front of 662 Waukegan Rd to the Glenview History Center. Their research showed that the Ai Family was one of the first “orientals” residing in Glenview back in 1965.

Original Golden Dragon signage was donated to the Glenview History Center in 2025
Original Golden Dragon signage was donated to the Glenview History Center in 2025
Donation Plaque
Donation Plaque
Berni Bourekas, Susan Johns – GHC President, Riley Ellison – GHC Curator, in front of the library at the Glenview History Center
Berni Bourekas, Susan Johns – GHC President, Riley Ellison – GHC Curator, in front of the library at the Glenview History Center