After almost half a century of serving Stony Stratford residents, the Golden Sea Chinese takeaway will take its final order at the end of this month.
The family owned business, run by brother and sister Sam Chan and Helen Chow, opened its doors in 1977 - the same year that Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Silver Jubilee!
When Golden Sea, located on the Wolverton Road, first opened, it was Sam and Helen's parents at the helm, before Sam took over full time.
In a notice posted outside the business, the family said: 'After nearly 49 years of service, it is time to say goodbye. We have great memories of our time here. Your friendship has been a source of strength and joy. We shall look forward to the next chapter and we wish you all the best in future.'
Customers have been quick to share their thoughts on social media.
'Thank you for everything you, Helen, and your family have done for Stony. You will be a character that will be remembered and talked about for generations. Have a wonderful retirement, and enjoy time with your family, you've worked bloomin' hard for all these years and I for one am grateful you blessed us with the best Chinese food ever!' wrote one.
And it's not only Stony Stratford residents who will miss the business: 'I typically make a trek overseas once a year from Saskatchewan, Canada to visit my friend in Stony and we HAVE to order Chinese food … I’m really going to miss these special meals!' wrote another.
Sam, who is past retirement age, admits that business has never fully recovered since the pandemic, but that won't make closing the doors for the final time any easier.
“I am already emotional,” he told MKFM, “I will miss all of our customers very, very much,” he said.
While Sam won't be serving up from the popular menu any longer, he will be 'putting' his energy into enjoying his retirement, and plans to enjoy “playing a bit of golf.”
