Community gathers to welcome back wounded Bloomington restaurant owner before reopening

A popular roast beef shop in Bloomington is getting ready to reopen its doors three months after the owner nearly lost his life.

On Wednesday afternoon, the parking lot outside Penn Lake Roast Beef at 8911 Penn Avenue South in Bloomington was filled with supporters that gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Owner Kevan Tran was shot during a robbery at his restaurant back in June.

Owner of Penn Lake Roast Beef shot during attempted robbery in Bloomington

Tran, who is 57 years-old, was hospitalized for several weeks and has been working to recover from his wounds in order to get back to his business.

"I’m so happy," Tran said. "I’m still alive to do my business."

In the hospital, Tran said he wanted nothing more than to be back behind the counter.

"I was fighting for my life so much," Tran said. "Every day to get out of the hospital."

The recovery was long but now Kevan is finally back on his feet and getting ready for the job he loves when the doors reopen on Thursday.

"He’s ready to work.,” said Jackie Quach, the owner’s niece. “Ready to serve the community."

Quach helped organize the ribbon-cutting ceremony as a way to thank fellow business owners in the complex, customers and first responders who helped saved Tran.

Bloomington business owner hopes for speedy recovery after shooting

"Today means a lot," Quach said. "Just the culmination of the community and family."

The family knows Tran won’t get much rest waiting for that moment the doors finally reopen and his customers return.

"It’s like a kid on a Christmas morning," Quach said.