Phanny Jones, the beloved local chef and owner of Little Cambodia, has found a new location for her restaurant, bringing excitement to the Salida community she has served so passionately. This transition came after she moved out of her former space at 1548 G St., where she cherished the charm of the corner spot, but had outgrown the kitchen.
“I’m excited, but it’s a little nerve-wracking because I still hadn’t found a place when I left,” Jones reflected, “the lease was coming up, and the kitchen was too small for me to work in, so I was looking for a bigger kitchen space.” With a new spot secured, Jones is eager to focus on reopening and bringing her expanded vision to life.
Jones admits she will miss certain aspects of her previous location. “I loved that space. The corner location was awesome. I just wish it had more of a kitchen because I love the high ceilings, and the location was great. I’m going to miss the whole space,” she said.
In the meantime, Jones has been balancing the demands of her business transition with her personal life. “Right now, I’m just kind of hanging out with my kids and trying to get the house organized,” she shared. Between managing her belongings and spending time with her two children, Jones has remained focused on her goals.
With the move comes a wave of optimism and ambition for Little Cambodia’s future. “It’s going to be an expansion, not just of the space, but also the menu and hours,” Jones revealed. “I’m planning on opening six days a week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., offering both lunch and dinner.” Customers can look forward to an enhanced menu featuring more of her signature dishes and an expanded selection of boba tea, a customer favorite.
Jones also took a moment to express gratitude for her loyal customers, who have supported her throughout this transitional period. “Most of my customers are very loyal. They are excited and ask when I’m going to open again,” she said. “I am trying to reopen fast because I do not want people to think that I’ve gone away. I am just relocating.”
As she prepares for this new place, Jones remains steadfast in her love for cooking and her connection to the community. “I love what I do. Meeting new people and making good, healthy food makes me feel great,” she said. With her new location open, Jones is ready to welcome back her community with open arms and a refreshed vision for Little Cambodia.