HOLLAND — Over four decades ago, Dong “Hank” Yeh started his first job in the restaurant industry. At the end of September, he'll step away from the job he's grown to love, retiring and potentially closing China Inn South Express in Holland.
Yeh's journey started in Taiwan before he moved to the United States — settling in Texas, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania and, finally, Holland in 1990.
Yeh, his wife, Whitney, and other family members first opened China Inn, located on West Shore Drive in Holland Township. Four years later, Yeh opened China Inn South Express, at the time located on 32nd Street.
“When I first moved my family here, I was married with one kid,” Yeh said. “We were looking for stability for my children and from an educational standpoint, we did not want to continue to move.”
In 2006, Yeh relocated the southside restaurant to its current location at 1080 Lincoln Avenue, and has served the community there ever since. Ideally, Yeh said he would like to sell the business — but if no buyer surfaces by the end of September, the southside restaurant will close.
“My family sees how much work it is to run a restaurant,” Yeh said. “I come in early each day and I go home late. I come in around 10 a.m. to open and then go home after 9:30 p.m. each night.”
Like so many businesses in Holland, the last two-and-a-half years of operating during a pandemic have been a challenge for Yeh and China Inn South Express. To generate more traffic, Yeh’s daughter, Janeve Helmbold, created a Facebook page. The restaurant transformed to focus on carryout, rather than dine-in.
Yeh’s family has grown through the years. Today, he has two daughters, a son and three grandchildren.
Yeh and his wife have mixed emotions as they prepare to retire. Their plans include traveling and spending more time with friends and family but Yeh said he will miss the customers, some of whom visit two or three times a week.
Despite his sadness, Yeh is excited to be present at his family's Christmas celebration and looks forward to spending time with his children and grandchildren.
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Yeh and his wife will continue to serve local favorites like Mongolian Beef, House Crispy Steak and General Tso’s Chicken for the next month-and-a-half.
“We want to tell everyone in the community how thankful we are for all their support through the years,” Helmbold said. “My parents have met so many incredible people who have loved them and their food and were so supportive through the pandemic. This restaurant wouldn’t be here without our customers.”