‘Shocker,’ another Boise restaurant forced to close, after 45 years. Is it greed?
Soon after Hong Kong transplant Kin San Chan opened Great Wall in 1980, it went on to become Idaho’s first Chinese buffet.
“We absolutely were,” his son, Kenneth Chan, confirms.
Forty-five years later? Great Wall is the Gem State’s “longest-standing buffet,” Chan adds proudly, “period.”
But the pans of food are about to be emptied. Forever.
Great Wall, 10398 Overland Road in Boise, will close after a final day Sunday.
Why? The restaurant’s lease is not being renewed.
“It was definitely a shocker,” says Chan, general manager of the family-owned business.
Asian restaurant closures
By now, you’re probably wondering what I’m wondering: What’s suddenly going on with Chinese restaurants and their landlords in the Boise area?
Great Wall is the latest in a string being ejected over lease decisions. Mandarin Palace, 5020 W. Franklin Road, went dark in July after operating for more than 50 years. And Lucky Palace, 8630 W. Overland Road, will shutter Friday after a run of more than 17 years.
“It’s a weird trend,” Chan says.
With Great Wall’s current contract coming to a close, Chan attempted to contact property management for a couple of months, he says. No luck. When Chan finally did receive word, it was roughly three weeks’ notice that the lease agreement was being terminated, he says.
“After 45 years, that’s the courtesy we got.” No specific reason was provided, he says. “They just decided to go in a different direction.”
Chan suspects Great Wall’s situation is not unlike scenarios at other recently forced-out restaurants.
“It’s just a greed thing, I think,” Chan says. “They just feel like they can get more money from other people, other types of tenants, I suppose. The crazy thing is we weren’t even given an option to compete for the lease.”
After reaching out to property manager Colliers, I was given a prepared statement on behalf of the landlord: “Great Wall has been a valued tenant of Five Mile Plaza. Their option to renew the lease was not exercised, and after the expiration of that option, we began receiving inquiries from other restaurant operators about the space. We wish Great Wall continued success in their next chapter and look forward to welcoming a new tenant who will add to the plaza’s vibrant mix for the community.”
Great Wall Express?
Running a restaurant in today’s economy can be a grind. Rising costs make it a stressful, challenging environment.
But Great Wall — which also offers a regular menu with dine-in, takeout and delivery — was surviving. “We fully intended to stay open,” Chan says.
“It was just a big surprise.”
Perhaps there’s a fortune cookie message for this situation: “New opportunities are on the horizon.” There’s a chance Great Wall could reopen somewhere in a smaller spot, Chan says. “Possibly more like a Great Wall Express,” he imagines. The menu would be streamlined to focus on takeout and delivery.
For now, “that’s just in the idea stages.”
I’ve got an idea. Go eat at that Boise restaurant you take for granted.
It might not be around tomorrow.
This story was originally published August 27, 2025 at 4:00 AM.