San Jose’s Oldest Restaurant Closes at the End of June

San Jose’s oldest restaurant, the Chinese eatery Wing’s, will shutter at the end of June. A sign on the door at its location on 131 E. Jackson Street held word of the closure, prompted by a rent increase.

Wing’s opened in 1925 under the ownership of Wing Chen according to the archives of the San Jose Mercury News. It was sold to Henry Wong, who then sold it in 1976 to Louis and David Wang. The latter is listed as the property owner, and a waiter tells the Mercury News that he no longer owns the restaurant.

“Wings will be permanently closed by the end of June 2017,” the restaurant has written on its website, echoing the sign. “The reason of the closure was due to our inability to generate sufficient business profits to sign a new lease with tremendously high rent per month. We greatly appreciate your business and support for over the years. Sorry that we can't serve you anymore. Please come back again before we close.”

Also per the Wing’s website — “We're famous for our red-neon sign with wings that actually flap (but not in rainy weather). And a décor that evokes an exotic yesteryear with semiprivate rooms with beaded curtains, red-flocked wallpaper, dark paneling and even a buzzer (that still works) to summon service.”

• Will San Jose’s oldest restaurant, Wing’s, live on past June?