Tian Fu Restaurant, which is trying to stave off its shutting down this month as a result of a deal between Whole Foods and landowner Gravestar, is holding a rally Monday late afternoon/early evening (4:30-730pm) to raise awareness about its plight. Tian Fu would like to stay put at 446 Washington St. in Wellesley, or at the very least move into the vacated Rite Aid space.

We popped on the early side in since this is one of the few restaurants around where everyone in our family likes to eat.

The Save Tian Fu event featured a slew of free food and drinks and packed 50 or 60 people in within the first half hour, including a cadre of kids, a senatorial candidate talking up his hopes for compromise and some important looking guys in suits. Owners Li Yu and John Chen were swarmed like a bride and groom on wedding day by supporters. Cameramen from assorted media outlets (including WBZ) tripped over themselves taking pictures of people with food in their mouths.

Tian Fu, a supporter of the new Wellesley Chinese Language School and other community activities, has promised to keep fans posted via its Facebook page and website.