A Fort Collins restaurant is closing its doors Saturday after 30 years in business.

Ming Lee, owner of South China at 4613 S. Mason Street, is closing the restaurant his family has owned for 30 years. It currently employs around a dozen workers.

He cites high rent and much-needed rest as major factors in making this decision.

Lee told The Coloradoan, "At this point, I think I should take the opportunity to spend time with my family instead of grinding it out for even longer. When you haven't had a vacation in 20 years, it takes a toll on your body."

South China first opened in Windsor in 1986, and Ming moved his father's business to Fort Collins in 1995. Despite the restaurant's closure, he says he will not be leaving the Fort Collins dining scene forever.

"Cooking is my passion and I love Fort Collins, but I want to take it easy for a little bit, enjoy my family, then I'm certain I will start another [restaurant] in Fort Collins," Lee told the newspaper. "We're going to close and enjoy ourselves and come back fresh."

While his new location is yet to be determined, Lee is not only looking at possible Old Town, but Midtown and south Fort Collins locations. It's unclear when he will open his new restaurant.

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