After standing vacant for three years, the former P.F. Chang’s China Bistro building in Kennewick will reopen with a new name, menu and owners.

Hooked Seafood Boil and Bar, a new-to-the-area concept from Bing Wang and Vicky Lin, is set to open in early November in the former restaurant near Columbia Center mall in Kennewick.

It’s arguably one of the most prominent restaurant vacancies in the Tri-Cities because of its location and the unexpected departure of its former tenant.

The new owners’ company, Bling Enterprises, bought the 230-seat restaurant at 8108 W. Gage Blvd. in June for $1.6 million from Columbia Center Commercial.

The 6,618-square-foot restaurant on 1.5 acres stood vacant after P.F. Chang’s closed in early 2018, at the end of its 10-year lease.

The new owners love the location and will not significantly alter the 14-year-old building.

Wang and Lin moved to the Tri-Cities to open a seafood boil-style restaurant after operating a series of Asian restaurants in Indiana, Alabama and Louisiana. They spied an opportunity to bring the seafood boil concept to the area.

“This is different,” said Lin, who along with family is giving the ex-Chang’s spot a fresh look but otherwise leaving the walls in place. P.F. Chang’s left kitchen fixtures – stoves and so forth – but not equipment – pots and pans.

Hooked is independent, but will echo the Red Crab Seafood Boil concept.

Lin said a cousin in Ohio is a franchisee of the Florida-based Cajun chain. Red Crab offers a hands-on experience, with diners choosing their seafood, spices and level of heat.

The couple came to the Tri-Cities for the potential to bring the idea to the market.

Hooked has secured a business license and has applied for a liquor license, which is pending. Lin said it should open with about 20 employees.

It will begin hiring about two weeks before the opening.