Magic Wok restaurant in St. John's changes hands

Rennie So and Mei Tam, the owners of The Magic Wok Eatery, one of the best-known restaurants in St. John's, are passing on their aprons to new owners.

Jerry and Carrie Li, who are friends of the couple, took over operations at The Magic Wok Eatery in November. Jerry Li has been taking on So's role in overseeing the kitchen, while Carrie Li has stepped into Tam's role of managing the dining room and customers.

"It's a big challenge and a really big opportunity," said Jerry Li. "So I really appreciate So and Mei's support."

Restaurant opened in 1989

So and Tam came from Hong Kong to St. John's in 1983. In 1989, after running a small store and teaching cooking, they opened The Magic Wok Eatery.

The first restaurant was in a small Water Street building with nine tables. A few years later, they expanded their restaurant to the neighbouring attached building.

The Magic Wok Eatery suffered a setback when their building, along with several others, was destroyed in a fire in the winter of 2001.

After much consideration, So and Tam rebuilt a bigger detached restaurant in the same area. They said they credit their success to their regular customers, and to the business they get from visitors to nearby hotels and the convention centre.

'The best Chinese restaurant in town'

Jerry Li came from China nine years ago to study at Memorial University in St. John's, and he and his wife, Carrie, became good friends with So and Tam.

The younger couple have also worked in the restaurant industry for several years, and they had been looking for business opportunities.

"I've got to say, this is the best Chinese restaurant in town," said Li.

"They wanted to retire, then we started talking about the business."

Li said he and his wife have been learning a lot from So and Tam, not only about operating The Magic Wok Eatery, but about being a good member of the local business community.

So and The Magic Wok team have participated in many charitable projects, and the restaurant is a regular sponsor of local sports teams.  

"He's a really good symbol for our generation to learn from," said Li.

He (Rennie So) has set a really high bar.- Jerry Li, new owner, The Magic Wok Eatery

Li admitted he was a bit nervous about taking over such a legendary restaurant, but he wanted to assure everyone that restaurant's name, menu and staff will remain the same.

"My first goal is to reach So's target," said Li.  "Because he's set a really high bar."

Big retirement celebration

Last week, So and Tam had a big retirement party with 360 of their friends and customers at the Delta Hotel.

The older couple plan to spend more time travelling, but they said their home will continue to be in St. John`s.

So and Tam have also been working on adjusting to life outside the kitchen and on the other side of the counter.

"I'm feeling a little bit relaxed," said Tam.

"Half and half," admitted So. "I'm missing it so much."

"I agree, [it is] not the same," So continued. "But they are younger, they have more energy, they are intelligent. So I believe, they will even do it better."