Owners Of Beloved Bistro On Sterling Sell Business To Head Chef

FLOSSMOOR, IL — After nearly seven years as owners of Flossmoor's Bistro on Sterling, Tracy and Rich Cairo have decided to move on to their next chapter, selling the business to their chef.

"We have made the decision to continue to the next chapter in our lives & to sell our restaurant to our Executive Chef Yvette as of today," the owners wrote on social media. "Our time serving this community has been an incredible privilege, and we are immensely grateful for every meal you have enjoyed with us, every celebration we have been a part of and every friendship we have made along the way.

"Your support has been the lifeblood of our restaurant, and we could not have come this far without you."

The two have sold the restaurant, 1040 Sterling Ave., to Executive Chief Yvette Zavala, effective Tuesday. Zavala plans to keep the restaurant open, though it will be temporarily closed. She hopes to reopen soon.

"Please join us in congratulating Executive Chef Yvette as she begins her restaurant ownership journey!" Tracy and Rich wrote. "Continue to support Yvette, The Bistro and your community."

All gift certificates have been funded to the new owner and will be honored, Tracy and Rich said.

Support for the owners and residents flooded into their social media.

"This was the first place we ate at following the 2020 lockdown," one person wrote. "My daughters were 5 or 6 when things opened back up; everyone at Bistro treated them like little queens and I'll always remember that night."

Another supporter raved about the food.

"The new owner is already a superstar in my book," they wrote. "We have loved every meal we've had there and will be happy to support Bistro during this transition and onward..."

A reopening date is not yet known, but customers are encouraged to check the restaurant's voicemail for updates: (708)957-7900.