PROCTORVILLE — Jack Peng said when he first visited Proctorville he saw a community with a need that he could fill and a great business opportunity for he and his family.

Peng will soon be bringing a taste of the Far East to the village with his China Gourmet restaurant.

The new establishment’s home will be in the heart of Proctorville on State Route 7, a brick building that most recently served as the home of Homestead Construction.

The building was originally built in the 1950s as Arrington’s Pharmacy, but housed a number of businesses over the years, including a feed store and a bank.

Peng bought the building for $146,500 from owners James and Jackie Lundy. He said the building and its potential for success are well worth the money he invested.

“There are no restaurants there (in Proctorville),” said Peng, who also owns a China Gourmet off U.S. 23 in Ashland, Ky.. “You have fast food, but other than that, there are really no places to eat.”

He said many people want a place to sit down and relax for lunch or dinner.

His restaurant will offer a Chinese buffet as well as a menu to select from.

Pam Legg, village clerk, said she is very excited about the new restaurant. She said she thinks it will be a hit with locals.

“It will keep a lot more of us over here. Now we don’t have to go across the river to get Chinese food. It keeps the money here,” Legg said. “It’s something different and new that I think the community will like.”

She said the new restaurant will enable those working in Proctorville to sit down, get their food, eat and get back to their jobs in their allotted lunch hour, something that is sometimes difficult when driving out of the village for lunch.

But, don’t get your chopsticks ready just yet. Peng said it could be a few months until the China Gourmet is ready to open its doors. No opening date has been set.