Paris Bistro, located in the Naperville Crossings shopping center in south Naperville for more than a dozen years, has closed.
“From our very first bonjour, our goal was never to be a cookie-cutter corporate chain, but a true, independent, family-owned business deeply rooted in this community, we want to sincerely thank each and every one of you for the love, support, and memories you shared with us throughout the years!!” the owners of the French restaurant wrote in a social media post.
The announcement did not state the reason for the closure, but a brief filed last week in the restaurant’s bankruptcy case said the business had to cease operations immediately due to an inability to meet payroll, according to Northern District of Illinois court records.
Records show that Paris Bistro filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2024. In a Naperville Sun article from September 2024, owner Jonathon Santos revealed the restaurant was going through bankruptcy proceedings when he urged the Naperville City Council to lift the city’s ban on video gambling to help businesses like his survive.
“The restaurant operated successfully for several years until the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant revenue losses,” according to the brief filed last week for the case.
Although the owners tried to stay afloat through the pandemic by obtaining loans, “the accumulated debt burden, combined with falling behind on rent payments, ultimately necessitated bankruptcy protection,” the brief said.
While there was a plan for reorganization, the business last week requested dismissal of the bankruptcy case.
“Despite efforts to increase revenue through creative menu changes and community reach-outs, the restaurant’s income declined dramatically,” the brief said.
The next scheduled court date for the case is June 30. Representatives for Paris Bistro did not return requests for comment. The social media post said the owners would “get back as soon as possible to each and every person that has future booked events.”
Paris Bistro opened in 2013 and was originally located at 2835 Showplace Drive in the Naperville Crossings shopping center off Route 59, serving everything from sweet and savory crepes to salads and French pastries.
Irina Haydon, who started the restaurant, was inspired by her trips to Paris and wanted to offer diners something other than a chain restaurant, according to a Naperville Sun article. Haydon opened a second short-lived French restaurant in Geneva in 2015 called Hache Modern Brasserie. A French restaurant called Juliette replaced it in 2017, but news reports show that too closed after less than a year of operation.
Paris Bistro moved to a larger space at 2656 Showplace Drive in 2021. About a year later, Santos opened Katrina Latin Bites & Bar at 2835 Showplace Drive, serving tapas, seafood and Latin-inspired dishes, but it also closed.
“To those of you who truly got to know us on a personal level, please know that we will miss you immensely,” the business wrote on social media post. “Your kindness, loyalty and support meant the world to us, and we will always be grateful for the deep friendships and connections made along the way.”
cstein@chicagotribune.com
Dining and Cooking