After nearly nine years of serving up Korean favorites like bulgogi and bibimbap to Galesburg and west central Illinois, Koreana Restaurant is preparing for a “happy closing” on Jan. 31. Co-owner Amber Jordan announced today that her mother, Ok Hyon (Kim) Curtis, is ready to retire after fulfilling her long-held American dream of owning a restaurant.
Jordan said the closure is positive, not sad. “It is a happy closing as my mom is just tired,” Jordan said in a Facebook Live video. “I helped her open this as her American dream and now she’s just exhausted so I’m helping her retire.”
Koreana opened in October 2017, introducing many in the area to Korean classics. Jordan said her mother has run the restaurant largely on her own over the past year, with help from Jordan’s daughter and god-sister, while Jordan pursued her own dream of being a nurse while still working behind the scenes.
The restaurant has been a strong supporter of many community causes. Koreana teamed with local organizations to provide free Thanksgiving meals to the community during the height of the pandemic in 2020.
To mark the closure, Koreana will serve the community free on its last day. Jordan and her mom said they believe that “food is love” and will leave the community the way they came in by serving the community for free on Saturday, Jan. 31, with donations being accepted if people wish to do so.
“Thank you again, Galesburg, and all of the surrounding communities,” Jordan said in the emotional video while closing out with a traditional Korean bow of gratitude and formal thank you “감사합니다 … gamsahamnida.”
Koreana is located at 323 E. Main St. in Galesburg.
