News Summary
Chin’s Restaurant in Livonia, Michigan, is closing after 72 years of serving the community. Known for its welcoming atmosphere and beloved dishes, the restaurant has been a centerpiece for family gatherings and memories. As the last days approach, owner Marlin Chin reflects on the bittersweet closure and the legacy his family’s establishment leaves behind.
Goodbye to a Livonia Icon: Chin’s Restaurant Closes After 72 Wonderful Years
Livonia, Michigan, is about to say farewell to a beloved establishment that has been a fixture of the community for over 72 years. Chin’s Restaurant, located at 28205 Plymouth Road, opened its doors back in 1953, providing a cozy space not just for meals but for memories. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, the restaurant has been the backdrop for countless family dinners, couple date nights, and friendly gatherings, with many regulars who could order their favorite meals without even glancing at the menu.
A Legacy Built on Love and Cuisine
Arriving on the Livonia scene during a time when Middlebelt Road was still a dirt patch amid farmlands, Chin’s Restaurant quickly became a local treasure. Marvin Chin, an engineer who initially designed the restaurant and its unique interior, started the family’s culinary legacy, which expanded to include popular venues such as Kitty’s in Garden City, Port O’ Three in Bloomfield Hills, and the legendary Chin Tiki in downtown Detroit. The Chin Tiki was especially famous for its Polynesian-themed decor, complete with waterfalls and tiki statues, even scoring a feature in the film “8 Mile.”
Marlin Chin, who has been running Chin’s Restaurant since his mother’s passing, has described the process of closing the restaurant as “bittersweet.” As word of the closure spread, customers flocked back to relive their favorite dining experiences and savor the last bites of cherished dishes, such as egg rolls, shrimp fried rice, sweet and sour chicken, pepper steak, and chop suey. The recent influx of patrons seeking their last meals from the restaurant adds a touching layer to this chapter’s end, highlighting just how deeply embedded the restaurant has become in the community’s heart.
A Different Kind of Dining Experience
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chin’s had to pivot from full-service dining to a carryout-only model, which was a major change for a place that previously thrived on the bustling atmosphere of shared tables and lively conversations. Despite this shift, the spirit of Chin’s never wavered, remaining a cherished place that offered comfort through food.
As the final days approach, Marlin has poise and fondness for the memories attached to the establishment. He wishes he had collected stories from patrons over the years, planning to put them together in a book as a keepsake. However, as he prepares to close this chapter, there’s an air of acceptance about stepping away from the kitchen after decades of dedication and hard work. With no family members looking to carry on the legacy, Marlin’s heart pulls him in another direction.
Looking Ahead
As the restaurant nears the end of its journey, it will stay open until all ingredients are used up, which is expected to happen by the end of the month. Marlin has no immediate plans to sell the building, referring to it affectionately as his “private museum.” He wants it to remain a testament to the joy shared by his family and the community over the decades.
Though this closure marks an end of an era in Livonia, Marlin is contemplating his next steps, possibly enjoying retirement through travel or even pursuing a new venture like opening a bar. As he reflects on the vibrant history of Chin’s, he hopes that everyone who walked through its doors will carry a piece of its legacy with them and remember the joyful times spent within its welcoming walls.
So, as we bid farewell to Chin’s Restaurant, it’s clear that while its doors might close, the memories and flavors it offered will always linger in the hearts of Livonia residents.
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Additional Resources
- Hometown Life: Chin’s Restaurant Closing
- Detroit Free Press: Chin’s Chop Suey Closing
- Detroit News: Christmas Tiki Event at Chin’s
- Metro Times: Detroit’s Tiki Bar Era
- Google Search: Chin’s Restaurant Livonia
