WISCONSIN RAPIDS – China Palace is closed in Wisconsin Rapids.
The restaurant announced April 28 on its Facebook page it was closing its doors effective immediately at 2113 Eighth St. S. in Wisconsin Rapids.
“With a full heart, we want to thank our incredible guests and our dedicated staff for your support, loyalty and kindness over the years,” the announcement read. “Because of you we were able to keep this gem open a little longer.”
Within 14 hours of sharing the announcement, the Facebook post collected more than 500 reactions, more than 100 shares and more than 180 comments.
The comments shared how much people loved the restaurant, many calling China Palace the best Chinese restaurant in the area and their favorite restaurant, pointing to high quality food, atmosphere and service.
“This was not an easy decision, but one we had to make for our family,” the post read. “Thank you for the memories, the laughter and the love you shared with us. We will carry it with us always.”
The history of China Palace in Wisconsin Rapids
According to Daily Tribune archives, the property next to China Palace was once a Shopko store before the company moved to the East Riverview Expressway in 1979. In August 1983, the Rose’s Cantina & Great Mexican Restaurant opened in about 6,000 square feet of the former Shopko building at 2111 Eighth St. S., with plans for a retail mall to fill the remaining portions of the building. Instead of a mall, project developers ended up leasing the space to Super Valu Stores Inc., intending to open a grocery store. The Rose’s Cantina & Great Mexican Restaurant closed in July 1984, and County Market opened later that year.
Yi Nung Ma and Peter C.H. Huang opened China Palace in late 1988 at 2113 Eighth St. S., next to County Market. When the grocery store closed permanently in November 2003, Huang assured a Daily Tribune reporter the restaurant wasn’t going anywhere, despite a slight drop in business.
Alexis and Sem Salazar posted on the China Palace Facebook page in January 2026, thanking everyone for their support and encouragement as they had been making a lot of changes in their professional and personal lives since taking over the business in the summer of 2021. The couple purchased the business when Huang retired.
Contact Caitlin at cshuda@usatodayco.com or follow her on Twitter @CaitlinShuda.
This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: China Palace closes after nearly 38 years in Wisconsin Rapids
Reporting by Caitlin Shuda, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune / Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
