Public Outcry Saves Popular San Francisco Restaurant From Closing

The popular Sai's Vietnamese Restaurant in San Francisco's financial district was in danger of losing its home of nearly four decades next month. Now, it's being allowed to remain in its current space until the owner finds a new location, reports KTVU.

When it was revealed that the restaurant was in jeopardy, many longtime customers expressed their frustrations.

"I'm angry. I'm upset," regular customer Idil Uralli told KTVU. "It's an institution. I've been coming here since the 90s."

The good news comes after the owner Inmy Chi said she had about a month to find a new location for her 40-year-old business.

Chi told SFGATE her landlord SHVO reached out early last month to offer a lease extension before its February 28 termination date. When she accepted it weeks later, she said SHVO retracted the offer.

KTVU reports that Supervisor Aaron Peskin spoke with Jim Reuben, the property owner's attorney, and came to an agreement that will allow Chi to continue running the restaurant at 505 Washington St. until she finds a new location.

Additionally, Chi's unpaid rent will be forgiven and she will not have to pay rent while she looks for a new location.

Reuben also told KTVU the owner plans to demolish the restaurant and build a 50,000-foot building to match the building next door which he also owns.

"They claim it was a misunderstanding between the property manager and the property owner," said Peskin. But he hold KTVU he believes public pressure played a key role.

He said he'll convene a meeting with all parties involved to get the new agreement in writing.