05/15/2024
Message from the owner: We are closing.
This will be a long message so bare with me. As someone who's been in the industry since 16 years of age, starting off as a dishwasher and consistently moving up and chasing the next height, this is by far the scariest thing I've done and the future for the first time is looking uncertain.
I want every person out there to know that my decision to close has nothing to do with the quality of our food and service, nor does it have anything to do with our non-tipping/living wage policy. I'm choosing to close purely due to the fact that I've humbly accepted the fact that no one (no matter how great they think they are) can successfully operate a restaurant on their own long-term, without any help. Since last summer, I've been the sole key person juggling all the roles (head chef, sole manager, owner, solo cook on slow days, marketing, accounting, etc...) and that has put a huge mental weight on my body and soul, which I am only now realizing this cannot continue on.
My lack of truth in others led me to not hire anyone else to help me at a management capacity, which ultimately resulted in our soon to be closure. This was a hard pill to swallow but a necessary one in order for me to move forward with life.
To anyone who has ever worked with me at Then & Now, no matter how long or short, I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart. Without you I would have had to close down much much earlier. You each gave me your whole world, and I'm deeply sorry if I haven't noticed nor thanked you properly while we were together.
To all our suppliers, and social media partners, you were one of the many reasons why we got to where we are today and if the opportunity rises, I'd love to keep working with you all again. Thank you so much for all your help throughout our journey.
Having said all that, this isn't the end for me, I'm still madly in love with hospitality and my love for food and feeding others will never be lost, regardless if it's in a professional capacity or not! We still have a few days left before saying goodbye officially, so please come by to Then & Now one last time!"❤️
Much Love,
Eric Y. Wang
Owner Operator
