Panda Kitchen & Bath opens Delray store

Delray city and chamber officials help Panda Kitchen & Bath officially open Wednesday. Pictured from left: Abby Melendez, Margaret Levey, Dave Haung, CEO Sean Haung, all of Panda, Mayor Rita Ellis, City Commissioner Mackenson Bernard, Vicky Giorgieva, also of Panda and Delray Chamber President Bill Wood.

By DAVID SEDORE, Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — For most people, remodeling a kitchen is an experience to be endured once, maybe twice in a lifetime. 

For the Haung family of Miami, the experience meant opportunity. They founded Panda Kitchen & Bath, a national chain of remodeling stores that recently opened an outlet in on Jog Road in Delray Beach.

Panda store officially became part of the Delray business community Wednesday, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Mayor Rita Ellis, City Commissioner Mackenson Bernard and Delray chamber President Bill Wood.

The company got its start in 1999 when the family bought a home in Miramar. While contemplating a kitchen makeover, the family received a $24,000 quote for the work.

“We started doing some calculations,” Panda CEO Sean Haung said. “Who could afford to pay $24,000 to remodel a kitchen?”

The answer they came up with: someone with an income of at least $80,000 a year. The family, which comes from a construction background in China, also figured they could do it cheaper — 40 to 70 percent cheaper, Haung said.

The Delray store is the 40th in the United States for the Miami-based chain. The greatest concentration is in Florida, with 15, but there are stores in Washington, California, Texas and up most of the East Coast as far north as New York.

There are also outlets in Milan, Italy and in China.

With the economy in recession and money tight it might seem an odd time to expand a remodeling company. Store Manager Margaret Levy said business has been good in the three weeks that it’s been open.

Even in tough times, a good kitchen is crucial for a house on the market.

“It’s really what sells a house,” Levy said.

“We welcome you,” chamber President Wood said during the brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. “We wish you lots of success and prosperity.”

Said Ellis: “I know you will do very well here.”