🌸 Remembering Janet Kwan: The Heart of the Kowloon Café and a Life Well-Lived 🌄

If you ever dined at the beloved Kowloon Café on 3500 South, chances are you were greeted by a warm smile, a steady hand, and the quiet charm of Janet Kwan—the co-owner and heart of the operation alongside her husband, Patton.

Born in Salt Lake City in 1931, Janet Butler was the eldest of four children in a close-knit family. She grew up with a strong work ethic and an even stronger sense of family—a foundation that would guide her through a lifetime of service, both in business and in love. She met Patton Kwan through the restaurant industry, and in 1962, their love story began. Together, they forged a partnership that would become a pillar of West Valley dining for decades.

Their early venture, the Highway Café, laid the groundwork for what would become their most cherished endeavor: the Kowloon Café, which they purchased in 1973 from dear family friend and cousin, Charlie Wong. With Janet running the front of house and Patton masterfully managing the kitchen, the two created not just a successful restaurant, but a welcoming community space where diners felt like extended family.

Janet’s calm demeanor and impeccable hospitality made every guest feel seen and appreciated. Whether you came in weekly or just once a year, she remembered your face—and probably your order. She and Patton worked side by side for nearly 20 years before retiring in the early 1990s, but their legacy at the Kowloon lived on in the lives they touched and the relationships they built.

Outside the restaurant, Janet loved quiet moments in nature, especially at the family cabin where sunrises and sunsets became sacred time. She cherished traveling and spending quality time with her two children and her grandchildren, who were the pride of her life.

After a long, full life rooted in family, hard work, and kindness, Janet passed away in August 2023, surrounded by love. She was 92. Her memory lives on in the hearts of all who knew her—through family dinners, warm conversations, and the countless meals served with love at the Kowloon.

Janet and Patton Kwan didn’t just run a restaurant—they nurtured a community. And for that, we are forever grateful.