(KNSI) – A staple of the Asian food scene in St. Cloud is dealing with a flood of customers after it announced it’s closing for good next week.
D & K Express opened off Division Street near Highway 15 almost 32 years ago. The restaurant started serving egg rolls, fried rice, sweet and sour pork, and other local favorites in 1991.
Co-owner and manager Du Quach started working for the restaurant when it opened and bought it with a group of investors in 2006. He told KNSI News they’ve had a rush of business since word of the closing got out. “Oh, my goodness, yes. We got swamped after they found out that we were closing for good. Oh, my God, that traffic is like, you know, like grand opening? People just swamp in because they love D-K. And this is a chance for them to get in a last meal these last two weeks.”
Quach has been thankful for the community support as they get ready to shutter forever. “I feel appreciated. You know, I mean, it always feels good to know, you have a good product out there that people love and people will love you because we’ve been here so long.”
He says an increase in the building’s lease is why they’re closing. Quach told KNSI News their rent was lowered for 18 months because of the financial hit they took during the pandemic. Their landlord has decided to raise it, and they can’t afford the space. Several attempts to negotiate a lower lease with the landlord failed.
Quach says he’s inquired about several buildings in the area, but the owners of those storefronts haven’t called him back or are asking for a lease that is too high. Quach says he’s not retiring but doesn’t know what he will do next.
D & K Express closes forever on December 30th.
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