Mark Pi’s China Gate at the Fair Oaks Mall has closed permanently after 27 years.
Owner Darit Chris said that he decided to close the restaurant on June 30, as the lease was ending on that day anyway. He cited COVID-19 as a factor in the decision.
“We never wanted to close,” Chris said. “But right now it’s really hard to run a business during a pandemic.”
Chris said that since the restaurant tended to get more dine-in customers, the switch to carry-out-only hurt their business.
However, while the Mark Pi’s at the mall is closing permanently, Chris said that he hopes to open another restaurant after the pandemic subsides. He said it will be at a different location in Columbus and is not sure whether it will be under the same name or a new one.
“I just wanted to say thank you to all the customers out there who support us all over the years,” Chris said. “We really appreciate it.”
