| Dates: | 1990-2001 |
| Size: | .75 linear feet in 2 boxes |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625 |
| Collection Number: | nnhc.aasba |
| Provenance: | Donated by Robert Krueger, Marion Krueger, and Charlie Soo |
| Access: | No restrictions |
| Citation: | When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Asian American Small Business Association Records, [Box #, Folder #], Northside Neighborhood History Collection, Chicago Public Library |
| Processed by: | Harry Klinkhamer, 1996; updated by Allyson Smally, 2020-2021 |
Historical Note
The Asian American Small Business Association (AASBA) was established by Charlie Soo in 1979 to encourage economic development on Argyle Street from Sheridan Road to Broadway, and on Broadway near Argyle Street. Cecil Partee, head of Chicago’s Department of Human Services, asked Soo to reinvigorate the Argyle Street community. Soo, a graduate of Roosevelt University and a member of several economic development committees, created the AASBA to unite business owners to fight crime, improve streets, revamp the rapid transit station, and increase public awareness of the community. Economic grants were used to fix sidewalks, update facades, and remodel the rapid transit station. Events like Argyle Fest and Chinese New Year aimed to increase awareness of Argyle Street among politicians and the public. Charlie Soo died in 2001, and the group’s activity appears to have ended with his death.
Scope and Content
This collection documents activities of the Asian American Small Business Association and its founder and director, Charlie Soo. The bulk of the material consists of news releases and flyers promoting events. It also includes newspaper articles about Argyle Street, letters from Soo, reports, newsletters, and ephemera.
Arrangement/Series Description
The collection is arranged in three series. Folders within series are arranged alphabetically.
Series 1: Administrative and Historical Files, 1990-2001
This series contains annual reports, news clippings, newsletters, a directory, programs, and biographical information about Charlie Soo.
Series 2: Correspondence and Ephemera, 1990-1999
This series contains Charlie Soo's letters to 48th Ward Alderman Mary Ann Smith and his friends Robert and Marion Krueger. It also contains a small amount of miscellaneous personal ephemera and correspondence.
Series 3: Events and Local Businesses, 1990-1996
This series contains programs, fliers, invitations, reports, and news clippings that document events that the Asian American Small Business Association sponsored and participated in. It also includes a small amount of information about local businesses and organizations.
Related Materials
Krueger, Robert W. Photograph Collection
Subject Headings
- Asian American Businesspeople — Illinois — Chicago
- Community Development, Urban — Illinois — Chicago.
- Uptown (Chicago, Ill.)
Container List
Series 1: Administrative and Historical Files, 1990-2001
| Box 1 | Folder 22 | Argyle Street Business and Dining Directory, 1993 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Asian American Small Business Association annual reports, 1990-1998 |
| Box 1 | Folder 23 | Chinese American Chamber of Commerce and Professions newsletter, 1994 |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 | News clippings, 1991-1997 |
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | Soo, Charlie biographies and obituaries, 1992-2001 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Uptown and Argyle Street news clippings, programs, and newsletters, 1991-1993 |
Series 2: Correspondence and Ephemera, 1990-1999
| Box 1 | Folder 25 | Bush/Quayle campaign fliers, 1992 |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | Krueger, Robert and Marion, letters and related material, 1991- 1996 |
| Box 2 | Folder 1 | Krueger, Robert and Marion, letters and related material, 1995-1997 |
| Box 2 | Folder 2 | Krueger, Robert and Marion, letters and related material, 1997-1999 |
| Box 1 | Folder 29 | Lai, Grace letters, articles, cards, copies of photograph, and other material, 1990-1992 |
| Box 1 | Folder 26 | Osterman, Kathy funeral program, 1992 |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | Smith, Alderman Mary Ann (48th ward), letters and related material, 1991-1993 |
Series 3: Events and Local Businesses, 1990-1996
| Box 1 | Folder 8 | Argyle Fest fliers and invitations, 1991-1994 |
| Box 1 | Folder 9 | Asian/Pacific Heritage Month invitations, 1992-1995 |
| Box 1 | Folder 27 | "Business and Community Service Working Together" luncheon flier and program, 1995 |
| Box 1 | Folder 21 | Chicago Transit Authority Argyle station pagoda news clipping and press release, 1991 |
| Box 1 | Folder 10 | Chinese New Year news clippings, invitations, and press releases, 1992-1996 |
| Box 1 | Folder 28 | City of Chicago Inauguration of Richard M. Daley, program, 1995 |
| Box 1 | Folder 14 | City Colleges' "Acquiring Cultural Knowledge" program press release and letters, 1992 |
| Box 1 | Folder 24 | "Ethnic Chicago" material on Argyle Street by Rich Lindberg, including press releases and letters, 1992-1993 |
| Box 1 | Folder 15 | Foreign journalist visit news clippings, letters, and report, 1993 |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | Local businesses and organizations, letters and press releases, 1993-1995 |
| Box 1 | Folder 12 | Milwaukee delegation visit press releases, news clippings, and letters, 1991 |
| Box 1 | Folder 16 | Minority Enterprise Development Week celebration flier, 1994 |
| Box 1 | Folder 18 | New Asia Bank press releases, 1992 |
| Box 1 | Folder 13 | Sister Cities Neighborhood Walking Tour flier, letter, and agenda, 1991 |
| Box 1 | Folder 11 | Small Business Development Seminar fliers, news clippings, and press releases, 1990-1995 |
| Box 1 | Folder 19 | Sun Wah Bar-B-Q Restaurant press release, 1994 |
| Box 1 | Folder 17 | Truman College, "Bridging the Cultural Gap" seminar flier, 1995 |
| Box 1 | Folder 20 | Vietnam Museum flier, undated |
