Lucy’s has a sex change - South Side restaurant saved from closure, to reopen as Henry’s
Stanley restaurant Lucy’s was all set to close with its owner leaving Hong Kong, but will now reopen as Henry’s after a former member of staff decided it was worth saving – even if it will be a labour of love
Lucy’s restaurant in Stanley isn’t closing after all – a former member of staff has decided to reopen it. In a few months’ time the restaurant, launched 23 year ago in the laid-back seaside suburb on Hong Kong Island’s south side, will be called Henry’s.
Henry Kwan Kai-lok began working as a chef at Lucy’s 20 years ago, before moving on after six years to places including Post 97, Jia Hotel, Teakha, and Onion in Causeway Bay.
Lucy’s restaurant in Stanley to close this summer after 23 years as a Hong Kong South Side fixture
Although Kwan is aware business has dropped off at Lucy’s because of economic factors and fewer expats patronising the restaurant, he tells us he is determined to take it over.
“Once the restaurant is fixed up it’ll look better, but I’m not expecting to make a lot of money – to do that you have to offer more trendy food items. Opening this restaurant is more of a labour of love,” Kwan says.
For now he won’t be changing the Lucy’s menu, he says – and when he does, he promises the changes won’t be too radical.