A popular Indian restaurant has reopened in Saanich after being closed for over a year following a car crash.
Kuku’s, a popular eatery on Burnside Road, had to close up after a driver smashed their vehicle through the front door, causing significant structural damage.
The driver sustained only minor injuries in the December 4th, 2019 accident and no one was else was hurt. Intoxication was ruled out as a factor in the crash.
For Kuku’s though, it was a long road to recovery.
“We’re one of the longest-running Indian restaurants in Victoria,” said owner Randy Madahar in an interview with Victoria Buzz. He says they will mark 12 years in Victoria as of January 23, 2021.
But in the past year, Madahar says they were unable to do any business while they worked to fix the damage.
Repair work was also delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and by structural issues caused by the accident.
“It’s an older building, so we had to get a whole bunch of upgrades done,” said Madahar. “Because of COVID, contractors couldn’t come in.”
But after a year of renovations and repairs, Kuku’s was able to open once more for service on Wednesday at 11 a.m.
In addition, the restaurant will be bringing back their services for Victoria’s homeless, driving a soup van to two locations on Wednesdays and Sundays: the intersection of North Park Street and Cook Street, and near the Christ Church Cathedral on Quadra Street.
Madahar says Kuku’s also saw a tremendous outpouring of support as they reopened yesterday.
“Yesterday there was an outrageous response,” he said. “I was surprised by how many came by.”
The restaurant owner says he is thankful to have survived the tough year and is grateful to be back in business.
“It’s nice to be back,” Madahar said. “I thank the city of Victoria.”
