Asian restaurant in Toronto permanently closes after 39 years in business

A long-standing Asian restaurant on Queen Street West has quietly closed its doors after nearly four decades in business, marking the end of an era for a block of Toronto known for its high turnover and rapid change. 

Saigon Flower Restaurant, located at 1138 Queen St. W., has permanently closed its doors without an official announcement. The family-run spot first opened up in 1986, long before the arrival of the Drake Hotel, which would later transform the block. 

Since opening, the restaurant's signature bright yellow sign has become a familiar landmark, and sat for years between two Drake Hotel properties on Queen Street West near Beaconsfield Avenue. 

The restaurant was known for its comforting mix of Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese dishes, including spring rolls, chicken balls, and steaming bowls of pho. 

Throughout the years, owner Rose Vuong had been reportedly approached a few times with offers to sell to the Drake but declined, and continued to run the business her family had maintained since the mid-80s. 

News of the restaurant's quiet closure circulated on a local Facebook page, where regulars expressed confusion over Saigon Flower's unexpected disappearance. As many pointed out, the restaurant had been listed as "permanently closed" on Google for some time. Later on, a family member clarified the reasoning behind the shutdown. 

"Rose is my mother-in-law. Proud to announce after 39 years of business on Queen she has decided to enjoy the finer things in life and hang up her wok. Thank you to everyone for all the decades of support, it is and will always be much appreciated," they wrote. 

"She has not sold the building but rather chosen to renovate 1138 and turn the page on a new chapter. She misses the community already, if you see her around show her some love." 

With reported renovations planned, the future of the building is unclear, but one thing's for sure: the departure of Saigon Flower from its long-standing location leaves a noticeable gap on Queen Street West.