April's Chinese Restaurant, a longtime favorite on San Antonio's South Alamo Street, is still not ready to reopen its doors nearly six months after shutting down for a major renovation. The building has undergone a dramatic transformation, but as of late October the local eatery still had not announced when customers could return.
The restaurant closed to the public on May 1 for what was described as a major property renovation, according to MySA. The documented scope of the work includes updates to the exterior and interior finishes, a restroom remodel, wall replacements, new flooring, a paint job and new lighting, with an estimated cost of $325,000. The restaurant sits at 2030 S. Alamo St., in the 78204 ZIP code, and had been known for keeping some specials priced under $10.
When MySA visited the property on May 20, the projected completion date at the time, the site still showed boarded-up windows and walls, signaling the work was far from finished. That same outlet returned to the location again on October 29 and found the building had changed dramatically in appearance, now sporting a sand-colored facade with new fixtures and stone cladding in place of its formerly jewel-toned, dated look.
Still No Word On A Reopening Date
Despite the visible progress, April's Chinese Restaurant has not provided an opening date. The restaurant did not respond to MySA's attempts to reach it by phone and through a connected Facebook account as of October 29, leaving the timeline for reopening unconfirmed.
The most recent word on the project's status came from Ryan Perry, who represents MCS Marcus Contracting, according to the same MySA report. Per Perry, the restaurant remains on track to reopen, though the renovations are expected to take at least a few more weeks beyond October 29 before that happens.
Who's Behind The Rebuild
Marcus Contracting Services LLC describes itself on its own website as a full-service contracting company focused on commercial and residential projects across Texas, including commercial interior finish-out work for restaurants, retail spaces, and hair and nail salons. The company, which lists Sean Harmon as its owner and general contractor, is based at 318 E Nakoma Dr., Suite 202, in San Antonio and states that it is licensed and insured.
For now, San Antonio diners who have missed the local favorite will have to keep watching the South Alamo Street storefront for signs of life. With the exterior overhaul largely visible and a contractor's representative signaling the project remains on track, the wait for April's Chinese Restaurant appears to be entering its final stretch, even without a confirmed date to mark on the calendar.
