Super China Buffet closing for good at end of month

LEWISTON — Lewiston’s Super China Buffet debuted in 2003 with 150 rotating menu items and a straight-forward strategy: Give customers a lot of food at as low a price as possible.

Two decades later, the all-you-can-eat Asian restaurant at the Lewiston Center Mall is closing, because according to the shopping center’s manager, its owner is retiring.

A sign posted on a door states the business is closing Sept. 1, the Sunday of Labor Day weekend.

“Lease ending,”’ according to the sign. “Thank you for your years of business!”

Super China Buffet is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Equipment is for sale, such as a gas oven ($500), ice cream machine ($500) and semi-automatic slicer ($340).

Attempts by the Tribune on Wednesday to reach the owner, Jessy Guo, were not successful.

The mall had a good relationship with Guo and adjusted things to accommodate the restaurant, said Billy Jeffrey Scharnhorst, the mall’s manager.

A number of types of businesses such as restaurants and retailers have expressed interest in the 4,700-square-foot space, he said.

“There’s a list of people who want to get into the center right now,” said Scharnhorst, who owns Lewiston’s General Nutrition Center (GNC) at the mall as well as the GNCs in Moscow and Pullman.

Planet Fitness opened at the mall in March where Macy’s used to be and the mall is preparing for a new tenant, Hobby Lobby.

Plans for the national chain to occupy the former J.C. Penney space were made public in April.

“The contractor is flying in next week to look over the property,” Scharnhorst said. “It’s moving forward.”

No date yet has been set for Hobby Lobby to open, but Scharnhorst said he anticipates an update soon.

Hobby Lobby is an arts and crafts retailer that also carries picture frames, home decor, holiday merchandise, fabrics, wedding supplies, cards, party ware and baskets.

The retailer, with strong ties to the Christian faith, has more than 1,000 stores and 45,000 employees in 48 states, according to its website.

It’s closed on Sundays, giving its employees time for family and worship, according to its website.

It issues messages on Christmas and Easter.

“We just want to let people know that we love our Lord,” stated company President Steve Green on Hobby Lobby’s website.

Williams may be contacted at ewilliam@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2261.