GREAT FALLS — Teriyaki Kitchen announced on Friday that it has closed permanently after 14 years in Great Falls.
The restaurant was located at 10th Avenue South and 25th Street for the last eight years, after moving from its downtown location.
The owners said in a Facebook post and a sign on the door:
It is with a heavy heart that due to circumstances beyond our control we are announcing that the Teriyaki Kitchen is now closed. It has been a pleasure and honor serving you these past 14 years. During this time we have come to consider you friends and family. Sorry about the short notice but we were just informed a few days ago that building is being gutted and remodeled. We wll miss all of very much. (signed) Joe and Un Hui O'Neal
Owner Joe O'Neal said, "It's really hard. I mean with all our customers, you know, a lot of 'em have been with us for fourteen years. So we've kinda come to like and love 'em.”
O’Neal will start a new job next week, and although he's sad to say good-bye, he looks at the change in occupations as a new opportunity.
“It’ll be a new challenge, so...actually it was an opportunity, I guess,” he said.
Some of the comments on the restaurant's Facebook page :
-- Corey Matthews: Thank you for all of the delicious food! You are one of my favorite places to eat, and I hope one day you are able to reopen.
-- Jordyn Foster: I'm sad to hear this news. Best teriyaki in town. Good luck to you in the future, I hope some day you are able to reopen. Thanks for so many great years of great food!
-- Tiffany Marie Stapelman: Nooo I wanted to come get some when I came back home to visit your food is the best!
-- W.p. Stegmeier: Now I am going to starve. Sorry to hear that.
-- Allan Tooley: Add me to the chorus of hopes that one day soon you’ll be able to and still want to reopen. Great food!
Joe said that the owner of the building plans to expand the existing casino, which currently occupies the back half of the building.
