In the city of San Francisco, sky-rocketing rents have not only put the financial squeeze on residents but businesses as well. Including some that have been in the community for generations. CGTN's Mark Niu has the details.

It's a uniquely Chinese-American treat valued for its good fortune.

"We must always have old memories and young hopes."

That wisdom guides The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in San Francisco's Chinatown, the last place in the country to make these confections by hand.

With the help of a customized waffle maker, a worker can make up to 400 cookies an hour.

KEVIN CHAN, CO-OWNER GOLDEN GATE FORTUNE COOKIE FACTORY "When you open it up, you have to catch it in four seconds. Four seconds you got to make them. Look at that one is more than four seconds, I try to make it. It doesn't work."

"No, you don't want to touch it. See, you can touch it."

"Oww!"

Even though the shop satisfies a seemingly endless stream of customers, it's not immune to economic misfortune.

Chan says in recent years their rent has tripled, putting the factory in jeopardy until he managed to strike a last-minute deal.

KEVIN CHAN, CO-OWNER GOLDEN GATE FORTUNE COOKIE FACTORY "It's close, yeah. As I said, I don't want to disclose anymore. Because this has stopped now. I still feel the pressure because of that. Just too much. Too much."

MARK NIU SAN FRANCISCO "Take a walk on the streets of San Francisco's Chinatown, and it's easy to see signs of just how difficult it is to pay the rent. In fact, the property site Zumper just released its national rental report which indicates San Francisco's is the highest in the country. A one bedroom apartment goes for about $3700 a month. At number two was New York, which was nearly a thousand dollars a month cheaper.

The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory has been in business for 57 years.

"She is actually the one doing the batter. She is the one that knows the recipe for life."

Nancy is Kevin's mother.

When asked if anything has changed about the way she's made cookies over the decades, the answer is simple.

"No. No. No."

And when asked whether he should bring in automated machines or just rent a just small space for deliveries only, Kevin's answer is also a simple - no.

KEVIN CHAN, CO-OWNER GOLDEN GATE FORTUNE COOKIE FACTORY "I want them to come in to see how the cookie is made personally and get a feel of it, and also to get to know the city, get to know Chinatown, get to spend some money in the community."

TOURIST "I'm from Portland and we have our Lonely Planet book and made our way here because this is such a big part of the history here."

"You try the cookies."

"It was really good."

"It was so good."

With green tea and strawberry flavors, Golden Gate is a crowd pleaser even offering customized fortunes.

"Your show will inform billions of viewers around the world. That's a good one."

"What's it say?"

"You will win a best abs contest. I agree with that one."

"Happiness is Serving You" has been their motto from day one.

And with grandma, son, and granddaughter all working here together, that's the way they want to keep it for generations to come. Mark Niu, CGTN, San Francisco.