Char Koon 1800 Closes Its Doors

The Asian Restaurant on Route 44 has closed its doors, according to a sign on the restaurant and its owner.

Patch found the sign on the door Thursday night after a facebook reader reported the restaurant's phone was out of service. 

A sign on the door simply states "restaurant closed, out of business."

Friday, Lily Zhao, who owned the restaurant with her father Mike, said it was just "lack of business." 

The location has a long history. 

Dan Garza, who ran Margarita's from 1981 through the first few days of 2010, said the Zhaos traced the building back to 1800. 

In the Bicentennial Commemorative book published in 2006, Dr. Larry Carlton states Joseph Dailey, a carriage maker, built it. 

Garza said the building, which was originally much smaller than it currently is, has housed many businesses and at one time featured room accommodations upstairs. 

He said businesses at the site since the late 1800s have include The Carriage House, Canton Inn, Black Dog Tavern, Ichabod's and Margarita's. 

Char Koon opened in July of 2010 after extensive renovations. Zhao urged people who liked the food to visit Char Koon in South Glastonbury or Forbidden City Bistro in Middletown.  

The building is up for sale and a sign with details will be posted shortly, Zhao added.