Two and a half years ago, the Grewal family, owners since 2009 of the highly-rated Lachi restaurant on Main Street, jumped at the opportunity.
A space had just opened up a few doors down the street. It was three times the size of the current Lachi. And with two of its four walls filled with massive banks of windows, it was far brighter too.
It had also been the previous home of an eatery -- the buffet-style Beijing Restaurant. So it seemed a lot of the pieces were already there for anyone who wanted to step in and pick up where Beijing left off.
It didn’t take long to make the decision. The current Lachi was filled most nights of the week, but ownership wanted to deliver a better customer experience -- and attract more of them -- than the cramped, aging space would allow.
So they'd lease the building on the corner of Padmore and Main, renovate it, and make the move.
A year later in early 2021, PentictonNow did a story on the new and improved Lachi. At 4,500 square feet -- two-thirds of that dedicated to customer seating -- and with all those windows and all those renos, the place looked modern and upscale and leagues ahead of its predecessor.
In a month or so they'd be open. Or so they thought.
But that month came and went and so did 17 more of them, and Lachi still hadn't shown off its new digs.
All of that finally changed this week when it finally opened to the public.
So why the delay?
It's…complicated.
"We had to go to the City," said co-owner Jaswinder Grewal. "The rules had changed. We had to replace the whole kitchen."
Daughter and Lachi manager Upkar Grewal was a bit more detailed.
"We had to bring the kitchen up to the current codes," she said. "The old kitchen was based on the previous code. Bringing it up to code took a lot of time and a lot of money."
But coming to terms with all the stuff that needed replacement was one thing. Actually getting the job done was something else altogether.
"COVID was here and we had to wait for the equipment," said the elder Grewal. "And it was so hard to find tradespeople."
Upkar expanded even further.
"The delay was frustrating, but we understand there was so much happening all around us," she said. "COVID and other things that affected so many and seemed to delay every process. And that added to the challenges of moving to a new space and renovating."
But all of that is behind them now, and the Grewals stressed they're looking forward to what they feel will be an awesome future in their new space.
"We're very grateful to our customers and our team," said Upkar, adding that the revamped Lachi will deliver a "very special dining experience."
"It's far more open, with 100-plus seats," she said, "and a full updated interior. It's a totally different ambience here than the previous space."
The restaurant's menu has not changed. At least not yet. But Upkar promises new items and new options as the team settles in to its surroundings. And a liquor license too, once it transfers over -- a process that's expected to complete within a month.
In the meantime, the striking new Lachi is open. Operating hours are exactly the same as they've always been, with lunch and dinner servings Monday through Saturday and dinner-only Sunday. For exact hours, hit the website here.
Delivery options are plentiful. Customers can order directly from the website, or access Lachi through Skip the Dishes or DoorDash. The service area includes Penticton, Summerland, Naramata, and unless they're too busy, Okanagan Falls too.
According to manager Upkar Grewal, her restaurant's cuisine will "wake up all the senses." Find out for yourself at Lachi, located at 504 Main Street.
