LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Health and safety over profits. The owner of a popular restaurant in Chinatown is shutting down again because he’s concerned about the rise in COVID-19 cases here in southern Nevada.
“Being a community restaurant, I have to be responsible.”
It’s a trait Henry Fan takes seriously. He made the decision to shut down his restaurant, Café Sanuki, 10 days after reopening.
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“My passion could be fed later. Money can be gotten later, but people’s health is of utmost importance,” he said.
Fan was excited to re-open dine-in service and invested in equipment to promote social distancing. Customers happily returned, but he began reconsidering after seeing a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases. He also had a family member and close friend die from the virus at the same time.
“That really hit home. It’s different when you don’t know about them, other cases, but when it’s someone close to you, it really hits home,” he said.
Battling emotions, Fan made the decision to close again for the sake of his employees and customers' health.
“It’s difficult and we work hard. We worked hard to put this place back together and I feel sorry for them, and I told them, when we get back, they’ll have first dibs to come in and get back to work,” he said.
When he made the announcement on Facebook, Fan says his customers were disappointed to hear their favorite noodle place closed its doors, but they understood why the owner had to do it.
“The comment that we got saying they’re with me and they respect my decision and as soon as I reopen, they’ll definitely be back,” Fan said.
Fan says he wants to see the number of COVID-19 cases drop before he feels confident serving his customers again.
“But definitely we’ll be back, and I’ll guarantee you this, when we come back, we’ll come back stronger than ever, that’s for sure. It will,” he said.
Fan stresses no one in his restaurant, employee or customers, tested positive for the virus.
