Laksa House in Central Market Plaza facing closure within next three months

The home of South Australia’s best laksa – as voted by the people – is facing closure in one location within the next three months.

One of the longest-serving businesses in the Central Market Plaza is facing an uncertain future after 25 years in the centre.

Laksa House is one of the last remaining outlets in the centre’s food court as renovations get under way as part of major works at the centre.

But an eye-watering cost to re-open after extensive redevelopments – in the order of $300,000 – means the hole-in-the-wall store will likely shut in the next three months.

The store, crowned best laksa in the 2023 delicious 100 best eats and treats in SA, was one of the first to open and has withstood closures over the past two decades, including Covid.

But the uncertainty about the major works, and the cost of reopening, mean owner Richard Lee is unlikely to sign up and remain at the plaza.

Laksa House owner Richard Lee says he is unlikely to continue trading at Central Market Plaza food court after the next three months when renovations get under way as part of the centre’s renovations. Picture: Matt Loxton

Laksa House was crowned best laksa in the 2023 delicious 100 best eats and treats in SA. Picture: Supplied

Just five of 20 outlets remain trading in the plaza food court.

The 77-year-old will instead focus on his other two restaurants – on Hutt St and Flinders St – when the doors shut for the final time in three months.

Generations have developed a taste for his family-run business laksas.

“We have people when they are young, they come in and when they grow up, they get married, they still come and then when they have children, they bring their children in here,” Mr Lee told The Advertiser.

“We have a lot of loyal customers.

“We haven’t really decided what to do yet.”

The empty food court at the Central Market Plaza mid-morning Wednesday. Only five of an original 20 outlets remain open and trading, with Laksa House likely to close after the next three months. Picture: Tara Miko

Mr Lee said takeaway laksas saved the plaza outlet during “the Covid-19 years” but he was forced to close the outlet on King William St.

However, the potential future cost of fitting out a new restaurant as part of the redeveloped food court was prohibitive.

“I would like to stay if someone can support me financially to not sell the place, but the initial problem is the cost of setting up,” he said, adding it was about $250,000 to $300,000.

Laksa House is one of five outlets still trading in the food court, with about 15 shops shuttered and being gutted as part of the encroaching renovations.

It follows the closure of beloved Japanese pancake business Obun Chef, which shut its doors on July 27 after almost 20 years serving shoppers.

The redevelopment includes planning for a new supermarket on level one “together with everyday retail services and specialist retail offerings”.

It follows the closure of Chinatown stalwart Kim Wang Supermarket in April this year.

It is understood the family behind the grocer planned to retire, rather than sell the store.

Originally published as Laksa House in Central Market Plaza facing closure within next three months