HOUSTON- For more than 26 years, Chinese Star restaurant, located in the heart of the University of Houston campus, has been a home away from home for students.
But Saturday, owner Priscella Yang opened her business for the last time.
“Today is my last day, and it’s my sad day,” said Yang.
She isn’t the only one who feels that way. The restaurant was full of loyal customers on the last day.
“I feel sad that she has to close. We’re going to miss her. We’re going to miss her a lot,” said Delores Rainosek. “I could go to any restaurant. I eat out every day, but I like to come here. We come here three, four, five times a week sometimes.”
“It’s sad that this is one of the faces of our campus and now it’s going to be taken away,” said Adiva Rahman.
It’s being taken away, because the university decided not to renew its lease. UH is renovating and opening a new business next fall.
Thousands of supporters signed an online petition to try and save the family-owned favorite.
“It’s amazing. It just shows how many people love this place. The petition wasn’t started early enough. I think if it had started earlier, things may have been different” said Tanzem Chowdhury.
Now, generations of customers are saying goodbye to the food and Yang family.
But owners still have hope it’s only goodbye…for now.
“Thank you very much to the people who supported me and petitioned for me. I know many, many people love me,” said Yang.