Chinese restaurant New China will close its west Ames location later this month after 10 years in business.

Co-owner Mei Zheng said the building owners declined to renew the restaurant’s lease. The restaurant will close its doors Feb. 27.

The restaurant is located next door to the west Ames McFarland Clinic, which purchased the entire building some years ago. A McFarland Clinic spokesperson said the company plans to expand that location within the next few years.

Zheng said her husband could potentially reopen the restaurant in a few months depending on if they can find a suitable location. In the meantime, Zheng said she’ll spend time with her children, something wasn’t able to do as often as she wanted to while running the restaurant.

Zheng said her husband will teach some of the restaurant’s signature dishes from their authentic Chinese menu to her brother-in-law, who runs the restaurant “888” near the North Grand Mall. She said some of those recipes were only available at New China.

Zheng said regulars to the restaurant have showered her and her husband with support, saying people have been extremely friendly and welcoming to them over their decade in business. One customer even sent the restaurant a hand-written thank you card.

“They’re sad, and I’m sad,” she said. “It’s been so touching.”