American Dreams

Springfield has become common ground for three international families from very different backgrounds.

Universal needs

Families around the world seek a better life in the United States.

The Ngo family, for example, left Cambodia in 1975 following America’s withdrawal from the Vietnam War.

With seven children in tow, Cach Ngo and Phung La traveled a convoluted route to America with very few possessions – just a couple of bags and the clothes they wore. An eighth child was born in a refugee camp in 1981.

“My parents were fighting for freedom and to have a bright future for their children,” said their son, Michael Ngo, who was just 9 when his family left Cambodia.

The Ngos now own five Springfield businesses, but for six years, they survived stints in Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines before finally landing in the U.S.

They even survived a pirate attack on a stranded boat in the middle of the sea. The vessel the Ngos were on carried 150 people and was just 13 yards long.

“Everybody started to pray, ‘God, help us,’ ” said Michael Ngo, recounting the harrowing attack.

Finally, America came calling.

Sponsored by St. Agnes Cathedral, 533 S. Jefferson, the Ngos made their American entry at the San Francisco International Airport on Sept. 16, 1981.

Another family was headed by Vahan Megerian, a longtime influence on Springfield’s retail market. Megerian founded Megerian’s Rug Co. in the city in 1934.

Megerian, an Armenian born in Zan, Turkey, was a Christian and sought relief in the United States from Muslim persecution in his home country, according to his daughter, Voncille Elmer.

He moved to America at the age of 15 in 1921 and earned his American citizenship in 1929.

“For my father, it was the land of opportunity. He was getting away from a horrible situation in his country. He was accepted and had a business that provided for his family,” said Elmer, who started running Megerian’s after her father passed away in 1978.

New to Springfield, Amir Fishman, 49, arrived Aug. 1 from Las Vegas. He said he wanted to raise his kids in a city without casinos everywhere. The Israeli-born doctor, a U.S. citizen since 1995, also has lived in Belgium, Venezuela, Peru and Brazil.

He plans on opening La Differace, a European cuisine restaurant, in mid-September where Arde’s Villa is at 2620 S. Glenstone. Fishman is buying the restaurant from Arde Khaleghi.

“Springfield is a city of many things that will lead a family to move here,” Fishman said, citing educational and cultural opportunities, the kindness of local people and the natural beauty of the land. “It’s an old-generation town.”

Finding success

Megerian’s Elmer now sells around 400 rugs and accessories a year, partnered with her daughter, Heather Reynolds. Elmer’s sister, Paula Ingram, also helps with the business at 1309 E. Republic Road.

She said she’s glad she was able to keep the store going.

“He had worked so hard to build the business,” Elmer said. “It made me feel very proud that I was able to continue it and even expand it.”

The Ngo family now owns Jade East Restaurants at 1336 N. Glenstone and 2435 S. Campbell, Traffic Nightclub at 220 W. Walnut and Endless Time and Jewelry Inc. at 2902 S. Campbell.

But they didn’t start as Springfield tycoons.

Cach Ngo, who passed away in 1997 at the age of 54, spent the first couple of years in Springfield looking for work and trying to keep his family off of welfare.

In 1983, the family didn’t have enough money to buy a restaurant of its own, but found compassionate sellers in the owners of Jade East, which was then on Sunshine Street. Those sellers, a husband and wife from Taiwan, allowed the Ngos to make flexible payments for the restaurant.

“They felt sorry, it was a big family,” Michael Ngo said. “We came back a week (after the initial meeting), and they said they would sell it to us.”

Mother Phung La is now 63, and her children range in age from 24 to 43. The entire family holds American citizenship. All of the family members have helped in the businesses, Ngo said.

So happy together

Family’s important for restaurateur Fishman, who has four children, ages 2 to 17. His second-oldest, Kevin Fishman, wants to be a chef someday.

That’s ideal for Amir and his wife, Esther, who plan to run La Differace as a family affair.

“It’s the most satisfying thing to have your family working with you,” Fishman said.

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