Mai’s Restaurant Co-Founder Phin Nguyen Dead At 88

Earlier this week, Mai’s Restaurant announced that co-founder Phin Nguyen has died at the age of 88.

Alongside her husband Phac, Nguyen founded traditional Vietnamese eatery Mai’s Restaurant in 1978 shortly after emigrating from Vietnam after the fall of Saigon. Her family announced the news on Facebook yesterday. “Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience,” the owners stated via Facebook. “We thank you for your understanding as we pay our respects and mourn for our loss during this time of grievance.”

As such, the restaurant will be closed from August 10 to August 13, and will re-open August 14. Though Phin had officially retired, she refused to stay home. When Mai’s was devastated by a fire in 2010, she was instrumental in rebuilding and reopening the restaurant, even after suffering a stroke last year, according to the Houston Chronicle. .

• Phin Nguyen, founder of Mai's Restaurant, has died [Chron.com]
• Mai's is better than ever[Chron.com]