Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / iPHO, a restaurant located at 7084 Vedder Road in Sardis, has been sold to new owners. Its owner reached out to Fraser Valley Today Monday evening after originally posting on Facebook August 18 that they had decided to close the business. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Vietnamese restaurant in Chilliwack

Update: Chilliwack restaurant owner now says iPHO has been sold to new ownership

Aug 26, 2024 | 7:27 AM

UPDATE MONDAY at 5:50 p.m.: Patchara Smith, the owner of iPHO Fine Vietnamese Cuisine, reached out to Fraser Valley Today Monday evening to say iPHO has been sold to new owners. She had originally posted on August 18 on Facebook that her business would be closing.

Original story below:

CHILLIWACK — iPHO, a Vietnamese restaurant located at 7084 Vedder Road in Sardis, has changed hands under its current ownership after 10 years in business in Chilliwack.

The restaurant’s owner, Patchara Smith, who also works as a chef there, made the announcement on August 18, saying the business would be closing Sunday, August 25. However, she has since clarified Monday evening, August 26 that the restaurant has been sold to new owners.

“After ten wonderful years of serving the people of Chilliwack, iPHO Fine Vietnamese Cuisine has decided to close our doors,” said Patchara (Pat) Smith. “We can’t fully express our deep gratitude for your business and support. Working in Chilliwack and serving the people of the Fraser Valley has been nothing but an absolute pleasure.”

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Patchara Smith said the decision to close was brought on by a number of economic pressures facing the restaurant, challenges that many restaurants grapple with in in today’s business climate.

“This has been an incredibly tough decision pre-empted by the challenges of balancing rising food costs while keeping menu prices affordable, continually rising operational costs, increased government taxes and difficulties in recruiting staff,” Patchara said.

The owner said the restaurant will miss the many repeat customers who frequented the business and made the operation a fulfilling one.

“I have gotten to know many customers personally and will miss our interactions and miss being able to serve you whilst hearing many [of] your personal life stories,” Patchara said. “Thank you again for making iPHO your choice of restaurant and for all your support.”

The restaurant had offered a wide selection of appetizers, including khai vi and spring rolls, and dinner plates featuring grilled lemongrass chicken and deep-fried wontons. On its website, the restaurant recommended its stir fried sauteed beef with red and green peppers, or the iPHO seafood dry noodles – egg noodles covered in the restaurant’s signature sauce and topped with prawns, squid, shrimp cakes, imitation crab meat, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green onions and roasted garlic. Its drink menu featured bubble tea and fresh fruit smoothies.