Kiku closed, but owner hopes to reopen next spring

Regular customers of Kiku Japanese Steak & Seafood House were disappointed by the recent announcement that the restaurant would be temporarily closing. Owner Sherry Pan posted on the business’ Facebook page on Sept. 28 that “Kiku will be temporally closing the door until spring of next year” and thanked loyal customers for their support.

Pan told SBJ, “I can’t find any servers; it just became too overwhelming.” She said that she has had several family members who have worked in the business with her since it opened 13 years ago, but her son, daughter-in-law and nephew all recently traveled to Taiwan for an extended visit. Pan said her nephew’s wife died unexpectedly at age 37 and memorial services were being held in Taiwan, plus they had been unable to visit other family and friends since prior to the pandemic.

“They didn’t go home in over a year, and we all need a break,” she said. “They’re planning to return in February, so that’s why I said we would reopen in the spring.”

Kiku opened at its current location, 3050 Lindbergh Blvd., in 2012 after initially being located in a smaller space just down the street on Robbins Road. However, Pan said that the 8,500-square-foot building is a lot to manage and she’s also considered reopening in a smaller space. “I think the building is too big, we need 7-10 servers working at a time,” she said. “If I can rent it out, I will probably build a smaller one.”

Pan said she appreciates all of her loyal customers and is glad that the economy seems to be improving. “The business is much better this year, but nobody wants to work.”

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