China Garden Belmont

jtb9212 · 01-05-2026, 11:06 AM

I read in Saturday's Laconia Daily Sun that China Garden in Belmont is up for public auction. Anyone know what is going on?

It is also on JSJ Auctions:

https://jsjauctions.com/listings/mix...-busy-route-3/

John Mercier · 01-05-2026, 12:56 PM

Town getting rid of property that it acquired because someone didn't pay the taxes.

AC2717 · 01-05-2026, 01:06 PM

and to think since covid every year they jacked up their prices, almost like they did it on purpose and ran with the money as an exit strategy

8gv · 01-05-2026, 05:16 PM

Is the parcel owned by the operators of the restaurant?

retired · 01-05-2026, 06:48 PM

I believe the Chin family has always owned it.

John Mercier · 01-05-2026, 07:15 PM

Town of Belmont owns it.

ishoot308 · 01-05-2026, 08:04 PM

Most people go to the Green Ginger right down the road. Sure that didn’t help…

Dan

Mr. V · 01-05-2026, 09:11 PM

Are they the same folks that once had a Chinese buffet at the Belmont Marketplace?

codeman671 · 01-05-2026, 09:15 PM

China Garden always is empty. Only went once during Covid and it wasn’t great. Never went back.

Green ginger is the best option up here.

Chimi · 01-05-2026, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Mercier

Town of Belmont owns it.

Tax records from June 2025 show property at 200 Daniel Webster HWY, location of China Garden, is owned by Don Mon Chin. When did the Town of Belmont become the owner?

ishoot308 · 01-05-2026, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codeman671

Green ginger is the best option up here.

Yup, by far!

Dan

TheTimeTraveler · 01-05-2026, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chimi

Tax records from June 2025 show property at 200 Daniel Webster HWY, location of China Garden, is owned by Don Mon Chin. When did the Town of Belmont become the owner?

When Don Mon Chin was unable or unwilling to pay the tax bill..........??????

8gv · 01-05-2026, 11:11 PM

I went several times and like their food.

It is quite empty every time I drive by.

8gv · 01-05-2026, 11:16 PM

The auction site says the house and restaurant are both occupied by "long term tenants."

That implies that the operator of the restaurant is not the owner.

Bigstan · 01-05-2026, 11:24 PM

Not a great source, but it's all over FB that the restaruant owners are not the property owners.

Not to say a cousin owns the property and another the business or some such shenanigans, but it appears they want to stay a tenant if possible.

The food is God-Awful, Green Ginger or better Eastern Paradise in Rochester (better Sushi than Chinese) are a better bet. Million Dollar in Tilton isn't terrible either.

John Mercier · 01-05-2026, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chimi

Tax records from June 2025 show property at 200 Daniel Webster HWY, location of China Garden, is owned by Don Mon Chin. When did the Town of Belmont become the owner?

If you check the link in the original post it states....

"We have been retained by the Town of Belmont to sell at PUBLIC AUCTION this town-owned property that was acquired by Tax Collector's Deed"

So they missed the deadline on paying the back taxes, and the town and lost the property.

BroadHopper · 01-06-2026, 09:32 AM

I met the owner of the China Garden business. His name is Don Ho, he is not the owner of the building.

Ultimate Thai next to the Wellness Center on N Main St in Laconia is excellent! The name implied Thai, but the menu includes Chinese staples. The place is busy! The food is excellent! I like the idea of making dishes in various degrees of hotness.

Been my go to since they open! You should check it out. Take outs only. You can order by phone or website.

Sure beats the drive to Tilton!

SAMIAM · 01-06-2026, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

I met the owner of the China Garden business. His name is Don Ho, he is not the owner of the building.

Ultimate Thai next to the Wellness Center on N Main St in Laconia is excellent! The name implied Thai, but the menu includes Chinese staples. The place is busy! The food is excellent! I like the idea of making dishes in various degrees of hotness.

Been my go to since they open! You should check it out. Take outs only. You can order by phone or website.

Sure beats the drive to Tilton!

Neither Google or ChatGPT can find Ultimate Thai…they both refer to Original Thai on N Main st

ishoot308 · 01-06-2026, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

Neither Google or ChatGPT can find Ultimate Thai…they both refer to Original Thai on N Main st

It is "Original Thai" on North Main St, Laconia. Here's their website...
https://www.originalthainh.com/

Dan

retired · 01-08-2026, 10:38 PM

China Garden is still running ads in the Sun as of Friday 1/9/2025?

John Mercier · 01-08-2026, 10:55 PM

The property is owned by the town and up for auction.
The business is not.

It lays it all out in the link the OP provided.

bushwack1 · 01-13-2026, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retired

China Garden is still running ads in the Sun as of Friday 1/9/2025?

I called them this morning and was told they are open until 8:30 this evening 1/13/2026

TiltonBB · 01-14-2026, 11:59 AM

From the Laconia Sun:

Hosted by JSJ Auction of Epping, the auction will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30. Bidders must pay a $10,000 non-refundable deposit by the time of sale, with another deposit of $15,000 due by Friday, Feb. 6.

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...d2875b879.html

jtb9212 · 02-02-2026, 12:54 PM

Any word on who bought the China Garden property? Auction was 1-30-26.

TiltonBB · 02-03-2026, 08:44 AM

Kevin Hutchinson bought it. The restaurant will remain open.

From the Laconia Sun:

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...9870c3c6b.html

01-05-2026, 11:06 AM	#1
jtb9212 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 58 Thanks: 0 Thanked 48 Times in 21 Posts	China Garden Belmont I read in Saturday's Laconia Daily Sun that China Garden in Belmont is up for public auction. Anyone know what is going on? It is also on JSJ Auctions: https://jsjauctions.com/listings/mix...-busy-route-3/

01-05-2026, 01:06 PM	#3
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,616 Thanks: 755 Thanked 369 Times in 277 Posts	and to think since covid every year they jacked up their prices, almost like they did it on purpose and ran with the money as an exit strategy __________________ Capt. of the "No Worries"

01-05-2026, 08:04 PM	#7
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,531 Thanks: 2,454 Thanked 5,465 Times in 2,142 Posts	Green Ginger Most people go to the Green Ginger right down the road. Sure that didn’t help… Dan __________________ It's Always Sunny On Welch Island!!

01-05-2026, 09:11 PM	#8
Mr. V Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: the left coast (Portland)and West Alton Posts: 1,474 Thanks: 68 Thanked 265 Times in 182 Posts	Are they the same folks that once had a Chinese buffet at the Belmont Marketplace? __________________ basking in the benign indifference of the universe

01-06-2026, 09:32 AM	#17
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,667 Thanks: 3,280 Thanked 1,132 Times in 814 Posts	Chinese I met the owner of the China Garden business. His name is Don Ho, he is not the owner of the building. Ultimate Thai next to the Wellness Center on N Main St in Laconia is excellent! The name implied Thai, but the menu includes Chinese staples. The place is busy! The food is excellent! I like the idea of making dishes in various degrees of hotness. Been my go to since they open! You should check it out. Take outs only. You can order by phone or website. Sure beats the drive to Tilton! __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

01-05-2026, 12:56 PM	#2
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,975 Thanks: 3 Thanked 678 Times in 561 Posts	Town getting rid of property that it acquired because someone didn't pay the taxes.

01-05-2026, 05:16 PM	#4
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,191 Thanks: 63 Thanked 764 Times in 497 Posts	Is the parcel owned by the operators of the restaurant?

01-05-2026, 06:48 PM	#5
retired Senior Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Belmont, NH Posts: 194 Thanks: 2 Thanked 78 Times in 46 Posts	I believe the Chin family has always owned it.

01-05-2026, 07:15 PM	#6
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,975 Thanks: 3 Thanked 678 Times in 561 Posts	Town of Belmont owns it.

01-05-2026, 09:15 PM	#9
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,604 Thanks: 223 Thanked 856 Times in 519 Posts	China Garden always is empty. Only went once during Covid and it wasn’t great. Never went back. Green ginger is the best option up here.

01-05-2026, 11:11 PM	#13
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,191 Thanks: 63 Thanked 764 Times in 497 Posts	I went several times and like their food. It is quite empty every time I drive by.

01-05-2026, 11:16 PM	#14
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,191 Thanks: 63 Thanked 764 Times in 497 Posts	The auction site says the house and restaurant are both occupied by "long term tenants." That implies that the operator of the restaurant is not the owner.

01-05-2026, 11:24 PM	#15
Bigstan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Gilford NH Posts: 385 Thanks: 9 Thanked 165 Times in 93 Posts	Not a great source, but it's all over FB that the restaruant owners are not the property owners. Not to say a cousin owns the property and another the business or some such shenanigans, but it appears they want to stay a tenant if possible. The food is God-Awful, Green Ginger or better Eastern Paradise in Rochester (better Sushi than Chinese) are a better bet. Million Dollar in Tilton isn't terrible either.

The Following User Says Thank You to ishoot308 For This Useful Post:
BroadHopper (01-07-2026)

01-08-2026, 10:38 PM	#20
retired Senior Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Belmont, NH Posts: 194 Thanks: 2 Thanked 78 Times in 46 Posts	China Garden is still running ads in the Sun as of Friday 1/9/2025?

01-08-2026, 10:55 PM	#21
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,975 Thanks: 3 Thanked 678 Times in 561 Posts	The property is owned by the town and up for auction. The business is not. It lays it all out in the link the OP provided.

01-14-2026, 11:59 AM	#23
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 3,159 Thanks: 748 Thanked 2,277 Times in 986 Posts	Auction Scheduled From the Laconia Sun: Hosted by JSJ Auction of Epping, the auction will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30. Bidders must pay a $10,000 non-refundable deposit by the time of sale, with another deposit of $15,000 due by Friday, Feb. 6. https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...d2875b879.html

02-02-2026, 12:54 PM	#24
jtb9212 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 58 Thanks: 0 Thanked 48 Times in 21 Posts	Building Purchase Any word on who bought the China Garden property? Auction was 1-30-26.

02-03-2026, 08:44 AM	#25
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 3,159 Thanks: 748 Thanked 2,277 Times in 986 Posts	Restaurant remains open. Kevin Hutchinson bought it. The restaurant will remain open. From the Laconia Sun: https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...9870c3c6b.html