Indochine announces founder Solange “Niki” Thompson has died

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Indochine, a southeast Asian Restaurant, announced in a Facebook post that their founder and owner Solange “Niki” Thompson has died.

According to the post, “Thompson died peacefully on Thursday surrounded by family at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Center.”

The post goes on to say, Thompson and her husband Major Robert Thompson moved to Wilmington in 1974 and opened the restaurant in 2000 in hopes to share their authentic Asian flavors and culture with Wilmington residents and visitors.

Thompson leaves behind her husband of 53 years, her three children; Marie Bartsch, Barbie Thompson-Kuehne, and Rob “Boo” Thompson, as well as four grandchildren, two sisters and four brothers.

“She had an unwavering desire to celebrate the rich tapestry of the Asian experience, something she strived for from her early days as a young immigrant navigating a new culture to becoming one of Wilmington’s most respected culinary voices,” the post said.

Funeral arrangements are to come in Wilmington at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be sent to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare on her behalf. The family appreciates the community’s support but asks for privacy at this time.

Find the full post here.