After 25 years, Canton Garden closes its doors: ‘It’s time to focus on family’

By Gabe Allen for the NoCo Optimist

After 25 years of service, David and Fong Chhor announced they were shutting Canton Garden’s doors for good.

 They planned to retire from the business once their youngest child graduated from college in May. And even though COVID-19 is squeezing restauranteurs the country over, they ultimately sped up their plans after David suffered a ruptured ulcer at the end of October.

“If it was up to David, he would never quit!” the Chhors wrote in an email to the NoCo Optimist. 

The couple has a long history with Colorado restaurants.

They got married 37 years ago in Denver. Back then, David worked as a chef and Fong in a restaurant.

In 1985, they moved to Greeley to open the Golden Dragon, which was one of a scant few Asian eateries in the area at the time. One decade later, they bought the Canton Garden from former owners Michael and Sue Chan. It was still one of only five Asian restaurants in Greeley in 1995.

In the ensuing two decades, east Asian cuisine became more popular. Greeley’s population grew rapidly.

“As Greeley grew so did the competition,” the Chhors wrote. “The market began to change, seeking authentic, unique flavors, but wanted variety.”

In response to the changing demands of a growing population, the Chhors, along with their son Sam, transitioned away from the Americanized Chinese food that had made the restaurant a Greeley staple since 1977. The new offerings included traditional Szechuan and Cantonese dishes, as well as southeast Asian inspired foods. One of their most popular meals was stir-fired Cambodian ramen.

Perhaps due to the Chhor’s commitment to adapting to the desires of their community, Canton Garden’s popularity has sustained through their 25 years of ownership. When the family announced that the restaurant would close its doors on Nov. 2, loyal patrons extolled their gratitude to many years of good food on social media.

“Thank you for the many years of great food and services,” wrote Michelle Baker. “We found you decades ago as college kids and watched Sam and your family grow along with our kids.”

Over the years, the Chhors developed lasting relationships with many of their customers.

“I am so crying [crying face emoji],” wrote Gwen Meek Mitchell. “You were not only the best Chinese food in town but have become good friends through the many years.”

Although the pandemic has shuttered many restaurants across the state, Canton Garden was actually doing great business before it closed.

“For the last several years, as Greeley continued to expand westward – Canton had been heavily reliant on take out and deliveries,” the Chhors wrote. “When restaurants were allowed take out only, overall order volumes at Canton stayed consistent.”

Although COVID-19 wasn’t what drove their decision, the Chhors are sorry to see so many restaurants struggling under the current conditions.

“Canton was one of the lucky few that were surviving the pandemic. Others are having a very difficult time right now, some have become very innovative and made a horrible situation a bearable one,” they wrote. “Quite honestly, the current climate is affecting all restaurants differently.”

In the end, the biggest motivator in the Chhor’s decision to close shop had nothing to do with business.

“It’s time to focus on family and spend more quality time with their grandkids,” they wrote.