Historic New Garden Restaurant Will Close in Phoenix

The South Phoenix establishment, which has operated since 1942, plans to shutter its doors within two weeks.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Dining Out

Historic New Garden Restaurant Will Close in Phoenix

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After 84 years of continuous service, the New Garden Restaurant located in South Phoenix is set to close permanently by late October 2026. A sign posted at the restaurant and staff confirmation indicate the business will cease operations within two weeks.

Why it matters

The closure represents the end of an era for a long-standing local staple that was founded by Kam Yee Tse. It adds to a series of recent restaurant departures in the area following major infrastructure changes.

New Garden Restaurant has served the community for 84 years since its opening in 1942. The restaurant is located at South Central Avenue and Hadley Street in South Phoenix.

The players

Kam Yee Tse

He was the founder of the New Garden Restaurant and managed the business until passing it to his family in the 1980s.

The details

The restaurant, which transitioned to family ownership in the 1980s, has been a fixture of the South Phoenix community for generations. Its closure follows the recent shuttering of other local eateries including The Old Tortilla Factory and Cafe Lalibela.

The restaurant began its operations in 1942.
Founder Kam Yee Tse handed the restaurant to family members in the 1980s.
Kam Yee Tse passed away in 2018.
The Valley Metro light rail expansion opened in June 2025.
The restaurant will close by late October 2026.

Culture Shift

The closure of long-term neighborhood fixtures like the New Garden Restaurant reflects a broader societal trend of legacy businesses yielding to shifting urban landscapes. These losses often follow significant infrastructure projects that fundamentally alter the character and accessibility of historical districts.

Residents and longtime patrons will have less than two weeks to visit the establishment before it closes its doors for the final time. The loss of the venue marks a significant change for families who have utilized the space for group gatherings over many decades.

The takeaway

Legacy establishments often face difficult transitions when neighborhood dynamics and transit infrastructure shift over time. Longtime patrons of such local favorites are encouraged to support these businesses during their final days of operation.