Stalwart Toronto Chinese restaurant forced to close after over 30 years
A beloved neighbourhood Chinese restaurant in Toronto is being forced to close its doors after its landlord refuses to renew the business's lease.
The hits just keep on coming this time of year, it seems. I'm still reeling from the news that Yonge and Eglinton's Mandarin location will soon close its doors after 34 years, and someone out there, I'm sure, also feels that way about the news that famed Toronto strip club, Filmores, is also on its way out after 45.
The latest blow? Scarborough stalwart Lucky Lin's is also slated to close its doors this month.
A family business that first planted its roots in 1991 (the same year as the Mandarin at Yonge and Eglinton, go figure), Lucky Lin's has served a distinct blend of Chinese and Guyanese cuisines for more than three decades, cementing itself as a favourite in the neighbourhood.
Still, even decades of history and an adoring customer base can't guarantee permanence: a lesson that the team behind Lucky Lin's is learning the hard way.
"Our lease at 5633 Finch Ave will end on Jan 15, 2026. We are actively searching for a new home as our landlord has chosen not to renew our lease," a notice posted to Lucky Lin's website and on its Instagram account reads.
"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your incredible support over the past 34 years. Your loyalty means the world to us, and we look forward to serving you soon."
Still, though Lucky Lin's will be closing its doors in a matter of days, it's not all bad news. The team is committed to finding a new home for the restaurant and getting the business back on its feet in the near future, so with any luck, that should mean you won't have to go too long without your Caribbean Chow Mein fix.
The same, I fear, cannot be said for your all-you-can-eat Chinese food fix at the Mandarin Yonge and Eglinton, or for whatever itch one gets scratched at Filmores, so I'll take this win where I can.
Lucky Lin's is located at 5633 Finch Ave. E.
@luckylins_finch/Instagram
