Chinatown neighborhood eatery and bar Smith & Kings to close next month

Chinatown neighborhood eatery and bar Smith & Kings announced Friday night on Instagram it will be temporarily closing its doors next month.

Located at the corner of Smith and King streets, the Chinatown establishment will be closed for at least two to three months for renovations. The last day of service is scheduled for Dec. 20.

Owner and former New Yorker Samantha Moore started the business in March 2015 with family members. She brought the blend of East Coast class and grit to her establishment, serving up happy-hour drinks and comfort foods such as lobster mac-and-cheese ($17), Cubano sliders ($12), and a pound of jumbo wings with buttermilk ranch ($12).

Moore told the Star-Advertiser that the building’s landlord is not kicking her business out at 69 N. King St., but she thought it would be a good time to make some renovations due to the challenges of running a business during the pandemic. “We’re just rolling with the times,” she said today.

Moore posted Friday on Smith & Kings’ Instagram account: “This is not the end for us just a new chapter, we will be reopening again but we aren’t really sure when that will be. Our land lord is making Updates to this old hub so we’ll see you when things are shiny and new.”

Moore is looking forward to reopening a newly renovated Smith & Kings sometime before spring 2021.

“We are looking to open before Super Bowl — that’s our goal,” she said. “But at the same time, it can be two to three months or three to four months.”

Before the pandemic, patrons could watch sports events or painter Bob Ross on the few flat-screen televisions inside the restaurant, or play old-fashioned board games and toys.

During the pandemic, Smith & Kings shifted to offering online ordering through its website, mobile apps DoorDash and UberEats, curbside pickup, and takeout. They offer dine-in service for brunch, lunch and dinner, but are only allowed to operate at 50% capacity with no more than five people per table.

“To all the people we’ve met along the way, thank you. The time spent serving you all has been wonderful and we couldn’t make it this far without you. We love you, we’ll miss you, and we’ll see you soon ✨,” according to an Instagram post.