Toronto community bands together to save beloved restaurant from closing

After more than 20 years, a beloved Toronto Hakka restaurant is at risk of closing after its landlords refused to renew the lease.

Though Scarborough's Royal Chinese Seafood Hakka Restaurant has been in business for 23 years, owners Danny and Margarita Liu have been cooking up Hakka and Cantonese eats for Toronto residents for even longer, with the pair now having almost 30 years of experience under their belts.

Opening the now-closed New Golden City in 1998 and the cherished Royal Chinese in 2003, there's no arguing that the Liu family have more than made their mark on the city and their beloved neighbourhood of Scarborough above all.

Still, as of earlier this week, the restaurant finds itself at risk of closure, but it's not a lack of revenue that's to blame.

According to a petition launched by longtime customer Kajan Rajaratnam, the restaurant's landlords, fellow Scarborough-based business RSM Silks, have threatened not to renew the restaurant's lease, leaving the future of Royal Chinese in jeopardy.

The restaurant, Rajaratnam writes in the description of the petition, is more than merely a place for its community to eat, but "a space where relationships are nurtured, and the spirit of our community is upheld."

"Over the years, it has become woven into the fabric of our community, serving as a meeting spot where friendships were formed, family milestones celebrated, and unforgettable memories made," Rajaratnam writes.

The petition as of Friday, Feb. 13. 

According to Rajaratnam, the potential loss of the restaurant wouldn't only mean that its fans would need to find a new Hakka spot, but that the broader community would lose a cherished and important cultural and social hub.

The purpose of the petition, he explains, is to urge RSM Silks to reconsider their decision not to renew the restaurant's lease, allowing the Liu family to remain in their longstanding Scarborough location.

"By asking Rsm Silks to renew the lease, we are advocating for the continuation of these cherished experiences and the socio-cultural value this restaurant adds to our lives, Rajaratnam writes.

"The impact of keeping this neighborhood [sic] gem open is profoundly positive, not only for those who frequently visit but also for new patrons who will undoubtedly find their own special connections there."

As of the time of publication, the petition has garnered 760 signatures, with concerned locals wasting no time to share their own thoughts about the possible closure.

"This place is a local institution, I'm ready to cover half their rent! Who's with me?" writes one signee.

"The community is built on longstanding restaurants, places that I can bring my grandchildren to. The dedication and love from the owner is clear in every dish, every customer they greet. The restaurant serves as warmth as a cornerstone of the community. Hoping the lease is renewed," writes another.

Royal Chinese Seafood Hakka Restaurant is located at 735 Middlefield Road.