Namsan Korean Restaurant in Kalamazoo to Permanently Close on May 31

Rising costs, rent hikes, and building repairs force family-owned business to shut down after 8 years.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:19am

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A high-end, minimalist studio still life photograph featuring an elegant arrangement of premium tableware and utensils in muted earth tones, conceptually representing the refined Korean cuisine and hospitality of the now-closed Namsan Restaurant.The closure of Namsan Korean Restaurant, a beloved local eatery, reflects the financial challenges facing small businesses in the current economic climate.Kalamazoo Today

Namsan Korean Restaurant, a popular authentic Korean eatery in Kalamazoo, Michigan, has announced it will be permanently closing its doors on May 31 after serving the community since 2018. The owners cite unaffordable rising costs across the board, including a 45% rent increase from their landlord, as the primary reasons for having to shut down the family-run business.

Why it matters

The closure of Namsan Korean Restaurant is a reflection of the broader economic challenges facing small, independent restaurants in the current climate of high inflation, supply chain issues, and rising rents. This story highlights the difficult decisions business owners have to make when the costs of operating become unsustainable, even for an established and beloved local restaurant.

The details

Namsan Korean Restaurant, located at the corner of South Westnedge Avenue and Maple Street in Kalamazoo, announced on its website that May 31 will be its final day of service. The owners, the Kwon family, say they can no longer make enough money to support themselves due to skyrocketing costs, including a 45% rent increase from $2,500 to $4,500 per month since they opened in 2018. Additionally, the cost of shipping fresh ingredients from Chicago has become unaffordable, and the aging building requires repairs the family cannot afford.

  • Namsan Korean Restaurant opened in Kalamazoo in 2018.
  • In January 2026, the restaurant's rent was raised from $2,500 to $4,500 per month.
  • Namsan Korean Restaurant will permanently close on May 31, 2026.

The players

Namsan Korean Restaurant

A family-owned Korean restaurant that has served the Kalamazoo community since 2018, known for its authentic Korean dishes.

Sunny Kwon

One of the owners of Namsan Korean Restaurant who spoke with News Channel 3 about the decision to close the business.

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What they’re saying

“After many wonderful years serving our community, we've decided it's time to retire and close this chapter. Our final day of service will be May 31. Whether you've been with us since day one or stopped by just once, we appreciate every guest who has supported our family-run restaurant. From everyone at Namsan, thank you!”

— Namsan Korean Restaurant

“We are no longer able to make money for ourselves to live because of rising costs to stay open and keeping employees paid.”

— Sunny Kwon, Owner, Namsan Korean Restaurant

What’s next

There are no clear next steps announced, as the Kwon family has stated there are no plans to reopen Namsan Korean Restaurant in a new location.

The takeaway

The closure of Namsan Korean Restaurant after 8 years in business is a sobering reminder of the financial pressures facing small, independent restaurants in the current economic climate. This story highlights the difficult choices business owners must make when rising costs, rent hikes, and aging infrastructure make it unsustainable to continue operating, even for an established and beloved local eatery.