Wenzhou's workshops crafted economic legend

Small commodities meant big profits during heady days of economic reform

After they began making small commodities like lighters, spectacles, shoes and buttons at the onset of China's reforms three decades ago, workshop manufacturers in the coastal city of Wenzhou in Zhejiang province became known as pacesetters for private enterprise in the nation.

To the surprise of many, such unremarkable products created a huge market and brought wealth to the city and its people.