CHIN'S RESTAURANT Family Owned Restaurant Re-Opens After Fire
Reported by: Kallie Cart
Videographer: Troy Morgan
Web Producer: Kallie Cart
Reported: Jan. 16, 2012 5:59 PM EST
Updated: Jan. 16, 2012 6:11 PM EST
EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
Kanawha City
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
A popular restaurant in Kanawha City got a new beginning on Monday. After fire forced Chin's restaurant to close its doors for 6-months, it re-opened. And for their loyal customers, the wait has been excruciating.
"I've been on their Facebook page and I would call," Tom Williams of St. Albans says. He was waiting for the doors to open Monday and was first inside.
"I've been eating their food for over 30 years and they've been gone for almost 6 months, so I'm glad they're back," Williams says.
The owners of the restaurant say because of their loyal customers they knew they couldn't let the fire shut them down.
"When I see people on the street, the first question they ask me, 'When you open?'" Chin's owner, Andrew Chin says.
"People have been telling us their stories about their first dinner at Chin's or how they used to bring their kids here and how they want to bring their grand kids back," Gordon Chin, the owner's son, says. "So it really is a Charleston institution and we're glad to be back."
Chin's has been a staple on MacCorkle Avenue for more than 25 years, and the family has owned restaurants in other areas of the Kanawha Valley for even longer.
But back in July an electrical fire started in the restaurant. The soot and smoke caused $50,000 damage and the restaurant was forced to close.
"The restaurant is really part of the family, so its been a missing piece for the last 6-months," Gordon Chin says.
The owners say they used the fire as an opportunity to renovate and update the restaurant. They're open for lunch and dinner.
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Kallie Cart
