BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — The owners of a Bloomington community staple have announced its closure after more than 60 years of service.
Second-generation owner of David Fong's, Ed Fong, announced he'll retire later this summer, making the subsequent choice to close the original restaurant location erected by his parents in 1958 on 94th Street and Lyndale Avenue.
“We’ve had an amazing run with David Fong’s, and have proudly carried my parents’ dream and legacy forward all these years,” Ed said in a statement. “They started a small Chinese carryout spot more than 64 years ago, and it grew into a beautiful restaurant serving their favorite Chinese dishes.”
The restaurant's other locations in Prior Lake and Savage, run by Ed's sister and brother, respectively, will continue to keep their doors open.
According to a statement on behalf of the family, David Fong immigrated to the United States from China as a child, and worked in his parents' North Minneapolis restaurant until opening his own with his wife in the south metro. When their business grew beyond the confines of a small carryout service, they moved into the restaurant's current Bloomington location and began offering full service.
"The biggest criticism I get from food critics is that we haven't changed in 64 years. The biggest compliment I get from my customers is, I haven't changed in 64 years," Ed said.
Ed says anyone employed at the closing eatery is welcome to inquire about jobs at either of the other two David Fong's locations. But he knows not every employee will take that path, such as Charmaine Moll, herself a part of the storied institution, serving patrons of Fong's for a half century.
"Someone said, 'Are you going to go somewhere else?' I said, 'Are you kidding me?!'" Moll said.
So when the doors close for good on Aug. 31, she'll retire alongside her boss.
"He was only 14 when I started here. I mean, he was just a little kid in the kitchen," Moll said.
Ed says the staff is "like family" to the Fongs, and leaving the restaurant won't be easy — which is why Ed isn't in a rush to say goodbye.
"I don't like to say it's a closing, but more of a retirement and a celebration of all the years that we've been here in Bloomington," Ed said.
But one of the hardest parts about the impending celebration, Ed says, was telling his parents about his decision.
"I think that was the most difficult leap that I had to make, was to go to my parents and tell them, you know, 'I think I need to retire.' The funny response is, my father said, 'I've been thinking about that for you also, and I've been trying to figure out how to tell you, it's time."
Ed says he and his wife, Blanche, are looking forward to spending more time with their grandchildren during retirement, and are grateful for many years of support from the community.
"My wife Blanche and I look forward to spending time with our grandchildren. David Fong’s will always be part of our history and family, and we are so grateful for the support of our community, diners, friends and neighbors over all these years,” he said.
David Fong's Bloomington location is one of the longest-running, family owned restaurants in the Twin Cities, which makes it increasingly rare that the Fongs are able to go out on their own terms.
"I wanted to go out on top," Ed said. "I wanted to have a chance to thank my customers and my employees, and I think that opportunity is going to come to me and I'm going to be very sad and very proud about that."
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