Time is a pretty wild thing. Sometimes, it feels like it moves so slowly. Then, within the blink of an eye, your view changes forever. It's in those moments it feels like time moves at warp speed and when the dust settles all that's left are the memories. In most cases, you won't know it's the last moment you'll experience certain things, so take a beat and soak it all in while you can.

Did you notice something different while driving along West Washington Ave today?

Get our free mobile app

It was about 11 am today when I saw it. I was behind schedule or I would have stopped, and now I really wished I'd had someone in the passenger's seat to take photos because it was wild.

Ding Ho Chinese Restaurant, permanently closed and located at 1502 W Washington Ave, Yakima, WA 98903, was being demolished. It's been closed for over two years but every time you drive by you see it there. It's been in that spot since I moved here over 20 years ago. My Father-in-Law mused about how in the 1950s that was one of THE spots to eat in Yakima. Out of a handful of restaurants, it was one of the only ones that had a bar and restaurant out front. He mentioned how much he loved the food and how exciting it was to go out to family dinner and watch his parents order their adult beverages while everyone chowed down.

Today, all that was inside and out was piled in mountains of broken bits and pieces. What looked like a sinkhole from afar in the middle of where Ding Ho Chinese Restaurant used to reside was a pit filled with all kinds of broken this and that with a bunch of silk flowers on top. A bright pink chair caught my eye on one pile and even a few fancy light fixtures set to one side.

I don't know why I assumed this spot would always be here and was shocked to find out that this entire time there was still stuff inside. I'm not really familiar with demolitions but what a messy job, kudos to the ones who do it.

When I circled back around 2 pm, most of all the cool stuff was gone, and what was left is in the below gallery.

Time is a funny thing. One moment you're driving down West Washington Ave and everything looks the same, the next a Yakima landmark is gone. Good news though if you crave the flavors of Ding Ho, you can catch them at Tasty Wok located at 3312 W Nob Hill Blvd, Yakima, WA 98902.

Ding Ho Chinese Restaurant Demolition

Ding Ho Chinese Restaurant of Days Past

My Ma Dim Sum

Dreaming of Outdoor Dining?

The Kabob House

Gyro House

 

More From 92.9 The Bull