PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A beloved Chinatown restaurant reopened its doors Saturday.
"It feels great, and we're so grateful that we had so much help from around the city to help us get back up and running," said Sang Kee Peking Duck House General Manager Henry Chow.
Sang Kee, on North Ninth Street near Vine Street, was closed indefinitely a little over a week ago as city officials tried to figure out why dangerously hot steam had been billowing from the restaurant's basement and onto the sidewalk.
Owners said a damaged steam pipe was causing water to drip on the main electrical and fire panel. As a result, the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) shut down the restaurant on Dec. 13, adding that it had a broken fire alarm.
But, in a post on Instagram late Friday, the restaurant said a temporary solution was put in place, allowing them to reopen just in time for the holiday rush.
Executive Director of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation John Chin told KYW the electrical and fire alarm systems are working, but "the steam is a longer-term fix that the utility companies are investigating.”
“While this solution is temporary, it allows us to move forward, provide for our team, and keep serving our beloved community. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts,” the post read.
Sang Kee staff greeted the small wave of customers Saturday with big smiles and big plates. Chow says he’s looking forward to seeing both floors of the dining room full of customers.
"We're so relieved that we're able to open back up for business so that we can make sure we get our people paid and serve the wonderful people of Philadelphia, he said.
Chin said they will continue collaborating until a permanent solution is found.