TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Downtown Tucson is set to become more colorful soon, both literally and from a culinary perspective, as Miss Saigon unveils its new location at the TEP Building on Broadway.
"You come in here, you’re gonna be amazed by the colors," said Bao Ma, one of the three brothers behind Miss Saigon, in an exclusive sneak peek with KGUN 9 News. "We put everything we got into this location… Everything is a little level up from what we’ve done before."
The move to the TEP Building at 88 E. Broadway Blvd., formerly occupied by Mi-An Sushi, comes with significant financial support from Rio Nuevo, the local redevelopment agency.
The agency invested more than $350,000 to help remodel the space, recognizing the cultural resonance and history of Miss Saigon.
"Our history and our background really resonated with Rio Nuevo and TEP," Bao Ma commented. "So when we were approached with an opportunity to get into the space… We figured why not? It’s a no-brainer."
The new downtown location is set to open its doors to the public on Monday, April 8. The Ma family is pulling out all the stops to make the space distinctive and memorable.
The interior boasts two large cherry trees as its centerpiece, adding to the restaurant's unique and inviting atmosphere.
"We thought it would be a great idea to put a big cherry tree in the center of the dining space," Bao Ma explained.
Steven Ma, Bao's brother and co-owner of Miss Saigon, emphasized the effort they've put into the new location.
"We put everything we got into this location… From the staffing, the menu, to the decor… Everything is a little up level from what we’ve done before," he said.
The move signifies growth and a new chapter for Miss Saigon. Their old downtown location, near the Ronstadt Transportation Center bus station on Sixth Avenue, closed for good in February.
"We hope that the new location isn't just more noticeable… We hope that people come away in awe," Bao Ma added.
For those eager to sample Miss Saigon's offerings or learn more about their Tucson locations, you can visit the Miss Saigon website here.
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Eddie Celaya is a multimedia journalist at KGUN 9. Born in Tucson and raised in the Phoenix area, Eddie is a life-long Arizonan and graduate of the University of Arizona who loves the desert and mountains and hates the cold. Previously, Eddie worked in print media at the Arizona Daily Star. Share your story ideas with Eddie at edward.celaya@kgun9.com, or by connecting on Facebook or Instagram.
