UPDATE DEC. 05: The popular Lotus of Siam restaurant is opening in a temporary location near Flamingo and Paradise roads. The original location will reopen once repairs have been completed. The restaurant is scheduled to reopen Sunday.
ORIGINAL STORY
A popular valley restaurant could be opening as soon as next week.
Lotus of Siam on Maryland Parkway and Sahara shut down in September after heavy rains caused major damage inside.
Now the world famous restaurant has found a new home along East Flamingo Road and Palos Verde St.
"I can't wait to see you guys when we open."
Penny Chutima's family owns the business. We first spoke with Chutima back in September, as crews were cleaning up after a portion of the restaurant's roof collapsed.
The damage caused by heavy rains gutted the famous local restaurant.
"It's like watching your kid get hit by a car or something like that, something that traumatic.'
Two months later, Lotus of Siam is close to reopening -- this time inside the old Roy's Restaurant building.
"It's been pretty difficult but we'll get there slowly."
Chutima was hoping to reopen the restaurant in time to celebrate its 19th anniversary in November but there were set backs.
"Right now, I just want to make sure that everything is up to code. I don't want you guys to come in and ever feel that you guys are not safe here or ever feel that you guys can think twice about us."
Loyal customers are eager to see their favorite thai place reopen.
Mikey del Rosario has been a loyal customer for 9 years. "I moved here from Southern California and I heard from people that it was like the number one Thai restaurant in the country.. I'm actually excited that they're opening up the new restaurant because it gets pretty busy."
As of writing, the new Lotus of Siam restaurant is slated to open by the end of November/early December.
The old Lotus of Siam building is still under construction. The owner tells 13 Action News they also plan to reopen the restaurant along Maryland Parkway and Sahara once repairs are done.
