King & I to Close South Grand Location This Month

It will reopen in Richmond Heights in September

By Jessica Rogen

Aug 8, 2023 at 10:44 am

Courtesy photo

Suchin Prapaisilp’s father stands outside the original King & I location on opening day.

When beloved St. Louis Thai restaurant King & I announced that it would be leaving its longtime home on South Grand for a Richmond Heights spot in October, St. Louis city diners were — understandably — devastated. But then the anticipated moving date of spring 2023 came and went.

Maybe, some thought, the move would never happen. But that's not the case. Today, the restaurant announced that the last day of service for the South Grand location will be Sunday, August 13. It will reopen at 8039 Dale Avenue in Richmond Heights sometime in September.

The new location will be 3,100 square feet and have seating for 50 guests.

click to enlarge

A rendering of the King & I's new space.

Courtesy Revel Architects

Jay Reeves of Revel Architects designed the new space.

“We have enjoyed nearly 30 years at our restaurant on South Grand and have been lucky to watch the neighborhood develop and thrive with its wonderful attractions like Tower Grove Park and outstanding stores and restaurants nearby,” said Shayn Prapaisilp, chief operating officer of Global Foods Group and representative for the ownership group of King & I, in a statement. “The King & I family is grateful to the community and the South Grand business district for being such wonderful neighbors. We cannot wait to show the public what the modernized King & I looks like, and we look forward to bringing the same great Thai cuisine that St. Louis has fully embraced from our family to Richmond Heights.”

Prapaisilp's parents, Suchin and Sue, opened King & I on South Grand in 1983, later moving down the block. Though Thai cuisine was relatively unfamiliar to St. Louis diners at the time, the restaurant soon became a success, going a long way toward influencing taste buds in the region.

The family also owns grocery stores United Provisions and Global Foods as well as the Grove restaurant Chao Baan. In October, Prapaisilp told the RFT that Chao Baan's proximity and popularity combined with the increase in takeout and decrease in dine-in from the pandemic made a smaller footprint make sense.

"We think we can still deliver the same great service and food, but with a smaller footprint," he said in October.

The King & I is leaving its longtime home on South Grand Boulevard for Richmond Heights.

King & I Is Moving to Richmond Heights Next Spring: The beloved Thai restaurant is leaving its longtime home on South Grand Boulevard

King & I Eyes April Moving Date: There's still time to grab some curry on South Grand before the iconic Thai restaurant heads to Richmond Heights

Chao Baan, together with its sister restaurant King & I, received special honors from the Royal Thai Government.

King & I and Chao Baan Receive Prestigious Award from the Royal Thai Government

Tags:

About The Author

Jessica Rogen

Editor’s note

RFT writers review each profile independently. The editorial team does not handle advertising or affiliate revenue. Our writers neither know how stories are monetized, nor do they receive any commission. Instead, we pay them for their work. We do not engage in pay-for-play and accounts we review do not have input into our final story.

Affiliate Disclosure

Some articles on riverfronttimes.com contain special links to products or services. When you click these links and make a purchase, we may earn a commission from the company at no additional cost to you. The Riverfront Times maintains editorial independence from our affiliate partners. Our writers and editors select products based on their merit, relevance to our readers, and journalistic value. We do not allow companies to pay for favorable reviews.