Angie Chang, who passed away on May 28, welcomed customers to the China Depot at the Original Farmers Market for decades. (photo courtesy of the Original Farmers Market)

Many people in the community are mourning Angie Chang, who along with her late husband Manny were the longtime proprietors of China Depot and Bryan’s Pit Barbecue at the Original Farmers Market.

Chang, 76, died on May 28. Services were held on June 21 at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.

Chang was an important part of the Farmers Market family, director of marketing Ilysha Buss said. Manny and Angie Chang ran the employee commissary at CBS Television City from 1974-90, and then purchased China Depot. They were fixtures at the market for years, serving delicious Chinese dishes and building a loyal following among customers.

“The opportunity came to buy China Depot and they did, and then not long after the opportunity came to buy Bryan’s Pit Barbecue, and they ran both businesses,” Buss said. “Manny passed away about five years ago. It was really sad. [Angie] was the godmother of the market, and Manny was the same way. They took care of everybody. They cared so much for their customers and the market staff. It’s a really big loss.”

Chang is survived by her daughter Elaine and son David, who still runs China Depot and Bryan’s Pit Barbecue. Buss said they are cornerstone businesses at the Farmers Market, corner of Third and Fairfax.

“I remember when I first started here, there were a few merchants who they told me, ‘you have to meet,’ and Manny and Angie were among them,” she added. “They were such hardworking people and they loved their family.”