China King reopens at new location in Clintonville

Things were going well for Amy Li, her husband, Enting, and their two young children, Jessica and Kevin.

They had moved to Clintonville in July to buy the China King restaurant at 46 S. Main St. in Clintonville. Over the next four months, they purchased a house, the business was growing, and Jessica had settled into first grade.

The fire call came in at 2:09 a.m. Nov. 23.

A fire started in the apartment above the restaurant and spread quickly, badly damaging the building and forcing the Li family to start over.

They lost almost everything.

“All the food was gone, and we had no money,” Amy Li said. “All we could do was grab some things that were on the counter and leave.

“I am so glad we were not living here so the kids did not see the fire. It hurt so bad.”

Still, the family did not give up.

“We never considered leaving,” Amy said. “We like it here. The people are so nice. I like a small town, and it is a good place to raise the kids.”

Determined to reopen the business, the family looked at various locations before settling on a vacant space in the Clintonville Shopping Center, 10 S. Main St. They did some remodeling and opened on June 2.

“People were waiting, but there was paperwork and remodeling to be done, so I wasn’t ready to open earlier,” Amy said.

She said their families have been helping them get started and she greatly appreciates their help. Her father-in-law is coming next week and will take care of Jessica and Kevin while their parents are at work.

The new location seats about 30, and a second room that is suitable for meetings or gatherings for a group of up to 12 people is available.

The menu is the same as at the former location. China King is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

“We are closed on Sunday because I want to be with my family,” Amy said.

Catering is available. For information, call 715-823-2898.