03/09/2026
Farewell
My dearest friends and extended family, and customers 😊
Over the past several years after Gary passed away, China Bell has been in the center of the spotlight of Grove City lol. You all probably have heard multiple rumors that China Bell is going to close or already closed.
Well, this time is for real. We are sold……
Oh God…… I sold Gary’s precious China Bell and his pride and joy Hole In One lounge ……😢🥲…….
Looking back, In the year 1988, on the day April the 1st, this bright eyed young man from Taiwan with a sunshine smile and a heart of gold who just graduated from Ohio State with a master degree in Fine Arts opened a restaurant named China Bell, hoping to make a living and support his future family. Almost four decades (38 years ) later, with all his hard work, persistent never-give-up attitude, he not only succeeded in raising a flourished family but also left a legacy of kindness, integrity, compassion, friendship, most importantly a successful business with delicious and consistent Asian cuisine, a vibrant and energetic event center with chic and modern atmosphere where families gather….. friends meet…. birthday parties, baby showers and rehearsal dinners are hosted…… reunions and celebration of lives are organized…… Christmas and other holiday gatherings are held!
He is also known for his whole hearted support for the community that embraced him with open arms! He participated in various community activities and fundraising events. For more than 10 years he would offer cooking classes in China Bell and donated all the collected fees to Grove City senior center. He run a food truck trailer a couple of years in Arts In the Alley and donated all the profits to the Rotary Club. He sponsored all kinds of kids sports teams, school events and mostly golf outings…… I can only name several.
With his vibrant and outgoing personality, he created a very comfortable and friendly environment and atmosphere that he constantly enjoyed communicating and connecting with customers. Amazingly, he practically could name every customer as soon as he or she walked into the door, even the ones who moved away and came back to visit years later. His sunshine smile touched so many people’s hearts!
Our last day is March the 31st. At this point I am fully amazed by the stunning fact that this is Gary’s way of approval ❤️……that life has gone a full circle….. that our mighty Lord has plans for everyone…..
With all that being said, I am here to express my deepest gratitude for all of your loving, caring support over the years, some of those made vital and crucial impact on Gary’s path towards success.
My very first whole hearted thanks is for the wonderful Madam Mayor Cheryl Grossman. Under her leadership and support, Gary was able to establish and continue China Bell on the property that we are on now! Thank you 🙏 Cheryl!! Our family is forever grateful!
Special thanks 🙏 to Mr. &Mrs. Larry and Sue Corbin who gave Gary so much support and guidance ! Mr. & Mrs. Al and Ann Howlingthworth and family who started the advertising journey for China Bell. Mr. Chris Roach, for all you have done for us. The Sigrist family, Gary and Patty, Rita, Ann and Mary.
For Mr. & Mrs. Michael and Jerry Wodarcyk and their wonderful family. They were literally in china bell every other day. Mike was like a second father to Gary, gave him so much guidance and advice and mentor! Our second son Michael is named after him. As for Mrs. Jerry Wodarcyk, she was the most beautiful gentle kind hearted, nurturing and selfless person I have ever known!! I truly believe she was an angel sent by God. ❤️
For Mr. &Mrs. Gary and Lisa Leisure. Mr. Kenny Snyder and family, they had held most of the important family events here. The Cotton family, Charlie and Karen….
For Mr. Jack Widner who used to call Gary ‘ Tiger Shyu ‘ 😂 reference to Gary’s passion for golf , Mike Widner who called Gary ‘pumpkin’ every time he saw Gary, a nickname that contains so much warm affection. For the Friday Night Group, whose names are carved on the lazy Suzie that is still twirling on top of the big wooden round table sitting in the corner of the dining room. The 5 couples that include Mr.& Mrs. Jerry and Elaine Malott, Mr. & Mrs. Samuel and Sheila Fujii, Mr. & Mrs. Jack and Jan LeVally , Mr.& Mrs. Joe and Donna Keefer, Mr. & Mrs. Darrell and Susan Armstrong, Mr. & Mrs. Charlie and Karen Cotton. For more than two decades between 1994 and 2020, they would have dinner every Friday night sitting around the big table catching up on family news and planning future events….. rain or shine…… hence the name Friday night Group….
Special appreciation and gratitude to my right arm lady…..my backbone…….my run-to and go-by when I have a decision to make or in the middle of a crisis or feeling stressed out or major meltdowns ( boy, do I have a lot of those lol ) ……who is my ‘sister’ from a different mom 😂…… who supposed to retire 5 years ago but has been standing by me through thick and thin after Gary passed on…… who has devoted almost her entire life to Hole In One Lounge, China Bell, and Post Time Lounge 😊 and loved deeply by her customers and friends ……. whom I proudly call ourselves ‘Thelma and Louis’ lol 😂……. with whom our special bond and friendship will last a lifetime… Carla Gersper …… I am forever grateful for all you have done for me and my family during the most difficult times in my life…… love you with all my heart ❤️❤️🙏🙏
Special thanks to my oldest son Andrew Shyu….. who stepped into daddy’s shoes right after college as young as 21 years old and shouldered huge responsibilities helping the restaurant running smoothly, who puts his life on hold to help mama….. ❤️❤️
Last but not least, much thanks to my staff, long term waiter and waitresses some of them has been with us for more than 25 years …… the kitchen staff who stayed loyal and hard working and carrying out Gary’s legacy of making high quality and consistent meals over the years…..
It is so hard to say goodbye….. to all of you who love our food…. who became friends and family over the years rather than just customers….. who ask about my boys every time they are in ….. who worry about me and the future of China Bell … ….
I am going to miss all of you, miss the chitchats on the phone, updates on families….. new babies and grand babies…..
Sorry, I am writing a book lol. Almost done…
There is still an entire month before we close. Come on over and say goodbye before I get my butt on the beach 😂 😊I would love to see all of you….
We will have a couple of signing - note books for whoever wants to write a line or two about their memories of China Bell…..
We are resuming Sunday buffet for the entire month of March starting March the first. Then on March the 28th and 29th which are the last Saturday and Sunday, we will run a two-day buffet finally…
There will be more announcements along the way.
So long for right now! See you soon at China Bell ! 😊
