Long Queues Form at Chinese Snack Stall as Customers Rally to Support Bereaved Father

A small street snack stall in eastern China has become the focus of a nationwide outpouring of sympathy after customers lined up in large numbers to support its owner, a grieving father whose son recently died from cancer, leaving behind three young children.

The stall, which sells tanghulu, a traditional Chinese sweet made from skewered fruit coated in hardened sugar, is located near the Shandong Institute of Petroleum and Chemical Technology in Shandong province. In recent days, videos showing long queues stretching along the street have circulated widely on social media, drawing attention to the personal tragedy behind the sudden surge in business.

According to local media reports, the stall is run by a man surnamed Tian, whose 36 year old son died earlier this month after battling liver cancer. Tian’s son, who had three children, was diagnosed with late stage cancer in September. Despite borrowing money and pursuing treatment, the family was unable to save him.

News of the death spread among nearby students and residents, many of whom were familiar with the stall owner and his family. In response, people began deliberately visiting the stall to buy snacks as a way of offering practical support during a difficult time. Some customers said they did not even eat the tanghulu they purchased, instead treating the purchase as a quiet gesture of solidarity.

The response quickly gained momentum. Students from the surrounding area organised informal visits, encouraging friends to queue patiently and avoid causing disruption. Within days, Tian’s daily takings reportedly increased by around fifteen times compared with normal business levels, providing a temporary financial boost as he helps care for his grandchildren.

Online commenters praised the students for their compassion and restraint, noting that the support focused on dignity rather than charity. Many posts emphasised that buying from the stall allowed people to help without embarrassing the grieving family or drawing unwanted attention to their hardship.

Tanghulu stalls are a common sight in many parts of China, often operating on narrow margins and relying on regular foot traffic. For Tian, the stall had long been a modest source of income. Following his son’s death, he now faces the responsibility of supporting three children while dealing with his own grief.

Local residents said Tian was visibly moved by the response but remained quiet and reserved, continuing to work each day despite the emotional strain. Some customers left handwritten notes of encouragement, while others shared messages online urging people to be patient and respectful when visiting the stall.

Observers say the story has resonated widely because it reflects a familiar reality for many families facing serious illness and financial pressure. While the surge in sales may be temporary, the gesture has highlighted how small acts of community support can make a meaningful difference during moments of loss.

Social commentators in China noted that such grassroots compassion often emerges around schools and universities, where young people are quick to mobilise through social media but remain sensitive to the feelings of those they are helping. The queues outside Tian’s stall have since been described not only as lines of customers, but as a collective expression of empathy.

As the online attention gradually fades, many have expressed hope that Tian and his grandchildren will continue to receive support beyond the initial wave of publicity. For now, the tanghulu stall stands as a reminder of how ordinary people can come together to ease another family’s burden, one small purchase at a time.