Mrs Young, 87, owned a store with her late husband Ngok, opening in 1969 in a prime spot on the main street of Balclutha.
But with declining customers, the decision was made last November to close the doors.
"Foot traffic really dropped off, especially after the pandemic," she said.
"And suppliers would sell to us then set up on the roadside to sell what we hadn’t bought.
"People are buying produce online now, too, especially citrus from the North Island."
But Mrs Young and her son Roger were ahead of the curve and the stonefruit pop-up outlet they started in 2012 at their home still keeps the doorbell ringing.
"It’s easier for people to park right at the end of our driveway, and the best part of our trade is people travelling the main road."
Business was going well with Central Otago stonefruit season currently at its peak.
Mrs Young came to New Zealand in 1939, a 2-year-old Chinese refugee fleeing the Japanese invasion, crowded with her family into the hold of a freighter for six weeks.
She grew up in Pukekohe where her grandfather was already an established commercial grower.
Mr Young and his family had a similar concern, established on 40ha in Inch Clutha in 1948.
The pair met when Mr Young was visiting family in Auckland.
They worked on the land for a while before selling up to concentrate on the shop.
"I lost Ngok 15 years ago, but we have two children and three grandchildren ... I’m 88 this year and there are no plans to change. I’ll keep doing what I’m doing."
Mrs Young attributed a long healthy life to mental and physical activity along with — naturally — plenty of vegetables.
"I always got on better with New Zealanders because I grew up speaking English, and Chinese competitiveness could be pretty unkind. Whether somebody's a labourer or a lawyer, you look for the value people bring, and treat everybody equally."
