12/23/2025
A bittersweet update and a new chapter for Ganadara.
To our wonderful community: We are reaching out today with heavy hearts, but also with a great deal of hope. As we prepare for our upcoming move, life has thrown us one final challenge at our current location.
After years of managing building repairs, our 20-year-old water heater has officially given out. Because our current lease requires us to cover all major repairs ourselves, we have had to make the difficult decision to stop operating at our Hampton location a little sooner than planned. After navigating gas leaks, ceiling collapses, and equipment losses over the last few years, we simply cannot take on the cost of a brand-new system right as we transition to our new home.
The last four years in St. Louis have been a rollercoaster. From our start at Chicken Seven to this current journey, your love for our food has been the fuel that kept us going through every struggle. We also want to thank the “village” helping us get our new space ready—our new landlord, the hood installation team, the electricians, and our handyman who always shows up when we need help. Even when we felt worn out, there was always a helping hand nearby.
The good news is We are not stopping. Since we cannot cook at the Hampton location without hot water, our church has graciously offered us the use of their kitchen. For the next few weeks, we will be taking catering orders from this temporary space. We will post the menu and ordering instructions soon.
Our goal remains the same: to share the diverse, authentic flavors of Korea in a cozy space we can truly call our own. We are going to keep dreaming and keep cooking so that our new place is even more welcoming for you.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. Please keep cheering us on as we begin this new chapter.
With love and gratitude,
The Ganadara Family