WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – A new Vietnamese restaurant on Harry Street is delaying its opening after someone stole its commercial stove and oven, according to owner Kevin Nguyen.
Nguyen said the restaurant, Bánh Mì 316, was a dream he began working toward three years ago.
“I keep looking at my sign and thinking, ‘Oh wow, finally my dream has come true,’” Nguyen said.
Nguyen said eating bánh mì, a Vietnamese sandwich, was a rare occasion for him growing up in Vietnam.
“My mom rewarded me with only half of a bánh mì because we could not afford the money to purchase the whole bánh mì. It was very expensive back in the day,” Nguyen said.
As Nguyen was finalizing details to open the restaurant, someone stole his new commercial stove and oven. Nguyen said the theft put him behind financially and delayed his opening day.
“I felt very disappointed and angry at that moment,” Nguyen said.
However, Nguyen said he decided not to press charges, because he believes the person who stole the equipment deserved a second chance.
“I was thinking maybe the people who stole it, they probably need the money. They thought they could sell that to someone else because they needed the money,” Nguyen said.
Nguyen said he did not expect the community’s reaction after he shared a video about the theft on social media.
“After I received so many messages of support from the Wichita community. I teared up and cried, I said ‘wow how lucky I am’,” Nguyen said.
Nguyen said he hopes the person who took the equipment returns it. If not, he asked the community to wait a few weeks until the restaurant officially opens.
“We just ask the community to come in and support us when we open. That will bless my heart, you know,” Nguyen said.
Nguyen said anyone who knows the person who took the equipment, or their whereabouts, should contact the restaurant so the situation can be resolved. He hopes to open the restaurant in the next few weeks.
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Dining and Cooking