China Express closed last month after more than two decades, but a new restaurant is already in the works to take its place on Toronto Road.
Hello Thailand has signed a lease for the space at 1213 Toronto Road, located in a shopping center next to Pier 55 Lounge.
“We just got the key from the landlord,” said Sunny Prikyo. “The inspector came today to look inside – we have to fix some things, then clean, and have them come back.”
Prikyo and her sister operate Opa Thai, a restaurant in Auburn. She said her daughter, Pavarun Junkham, will manage the Springfield restaurant, although other family members will also help out.
“We have a lot of customers from Springfield who come to our restaurant in Auburn, so we decided to expand closer to the people of Springfield. We hope they will be happy and support us,” said Prikyo.
She said the Auburn restaurant is named after her mother, while the Springfield restaurant is named in honor of her father.
“In Thai, the word ‘sawasdee,’ which is my father’s name, means ‘hello,’” Prikyo said.
She said the food offered at both locations will be similar, although Hello Thailand will have a slightly different menu with additional options.
Prikyo said an opening date has not yet been set, since it will depend on how long it takes to complete renovations and inspections, but the goal is to be open by early July.
