Lovans return to mall with Southpark Chinese

(Photo by Russ Mitchell) Bea Lovan and her husband, Toun are returning to the Southpark Mall. They previously operated Yen Ching Express. Their new restaurant, Southpark Chinese, opened Friday. [Order this photo]

Chances are, Spencer residents who like Chinese food have tasted the work of Bea and Toun Lovan already. They have been operating a restaurant at one location or another in Spencer for the past 14 years.

The Lovans operated Yen Ching Express at the mall for eight years. They moved in 2004 to a stand-alone spot at 15 11th St. S.E. in Spencer -- the former McDonald's and current Plaza Mexico location. They left to help launch Hy-Vee Chinese three years ago.

"We just wanted to come back and do our own business," Bea Lovan explained. "We still have wonderful and loyal customers and without them, this wouldn't be possible."

Southpark Mall manager Kathy Anderson said she is excited to have the Lovans back on a weekend that marked the opening of the vampire romance "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" at Southpark 7. The $142.8 million opening weekend was the third-best opening movie weekend ever.

"We enjoyed the huge crowds we had this weekend for the theater and shopping, then those people got to enjoy the Southpark Chinese being open," Anderson said. "It was great and they're going to be a great draw for us. I appreciate them so much being here."

Bea and Toun Lovan still get help from their daughters Amanda, Laura and Liza. The restaurant employs seven people including Toun, who likes staying in the kitchen.

"It's a wonderful community and a good place to raise a family," Bea Lovan said. "It's a small town and my kids just love it. They don't want to move."

Popular entrees include beef and broccoli, orange chicken and sesame chicken. They also offer Hunan and Szechuan menu items for customers who enjoy a little more spice. The Lovans make everything fresh -- they don't use pre-made ingredients.

"We can cook to anybody's needs," Bea Lovan said. "If they don't like anything in the hot case, they can ask for it. In less than five minutes we can have everything ready. We cook to suit everybody. Some people like spicy, some people don't. We can do anything."

Bea Lovan also credited Anderson and the Southpark Mall staff for helping the business return.

"I signed another three- to five-year-lease," she said. "I'll be here forever. My kids don't want to leave. We're here all of the time. My husband loves to do this. He doesn't leave until midnight some days and he enjoys doing it."

Bea enjoys being up front and talking with the customers. Some of the same people who use the mall for a morning stroll greeted the Lovans on their first day back.

"It was overwhelming," she said. "When I saw them, I was almost in tears."

The Lovans have appreciated the support the business has received from Kathy Anderson and the rest of the mall staff as well.

"That makes everything work," Bea Lovan said. "That makes everything possible."

The hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Look for longer hours during the holiday season. Southpark Chinese also caters, offers a buffet and can have meals available for dine in or take out at 580-4434.