Rock 'N' Thai announces plan to open Zeeland location

ZEELAND — Rock ‘N’ Thai is planning a third location, this time in Zeeland.

The announcement came Monday, July 1, on social media, about a month after the eatery opened a second location in Grand Haven.

The restaurant at 9479 Riley St. will fill the former Pearl House, a bubble tea shop that opened in 2023. The menu will be a faster, express version of Rock ‘N’ Thai's regular offerings.

“This was always a dream area for me to be in,” said Kong Khammanivong, a graduate of West Ottawa High School, who operates the restaurants with his mother, Sandy. “It’s right by home, it’s up-and-coming and a great community. We just want to cater to the people of Zeeland.”

While a social media page for The Pearl House is still active, there's a post noting the shop is temporarily closed and the phone number has been disconnected.

Kong confirmed he'll continue to sell bubble tea in the spot.

Khammanivong said the business hopes to open the site as soon as possible, but is wary of giving an opening date after struggling to launch the location in Grand Haven. He said the year-long delay was largely due to permitting and inspections, but Zeeland should take closer to four to six months.

“We are taking this very slow," Khammanivong said. "We have to start over from scratch at the location."

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Still, he's excited to bring flavors that he says aren't currently offered in Zeeland.

"(Zeeland) needs more diverse flavors," Khammanivong said. "We want to give it a little spice and hopefully open people's minds to coming to Zeeland and doing business here."

— Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.