September 3, 2020 submitted by SAPA
SAPA, an upscale Asian Fusion restaurant in the Hingham Shipyard, just a short walk from local shops, the ferry, and luxury living, will close its doors after only two years. SAPA is just one of many local businesses that are crippled by the Coronavirus Pandemic and severe government restrictions.
“Owning and operating SAPA has been a labor of love,” said Lesa Tu, who owns SAPA with her husband Michael Truong and their business partner Wind Zhang. “We are so thankful for and humbled by the support we have received during these incredibly difficult times,” Lesa went on to say.
Lesa and Michael both grew up in Vietnam and met after immigrating to the United States in the 1970s. As serial entrepreneurs who have run several successful businesses, Lesa and Michael came out of semi- retirement to open SAPA in December of 2018. SAPA, named after the sprawling mountain town of Sa Pa, in Northwest Vietnam, combines traditional dishes and flavors from all over Asia to create a unique fusion dining experience on the South Shore.
“SAPA has always been a place for my family to enjoy a relaxing night out,” “it is a shame to see a great establishment like SAPA is closing,” said Mark Rulli, a Hingham Shipyard resident and regular at SAPA. Genevieve Hickey, another Hingham resident and frequent flyer at SAPA, said, “I will miss the smiles and laughs I have shared with Lesa, Mike, Wind, Helen, and Deborah the most.”
The Coronavirus Pandemic, unprecedented in scope and destruction, spawned a massive and severe government response that completed shuttered SAPA for months and has imposed harsh and impossible to operate in restrictions. SAPA was forced to reduce its restaurant capacity by more than 55% and is still unable to use its’ bar, hibachi dining experience, or VIP sushi bar. “The severe restrictions on restaurant operations and the lengthy standstill of business and everyday life in Massachusetts have completely and unforeseeably made SAPA’s continued success impossible,” said Dan Nardo, Managing Partner of Nardo & Associates, the crisis advisory firm guided SAPA through its closing.
“The community has been the backbone of our success, and we invite you to dine with us this week and say goodbye to your SAPA family,” said an emotional Lesa, “please join us to say goodbye.”