Superior’s LeBistro to close April 16

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Le Bistro restaurant in the former City/County Complex in Superior will close April 16, a victim of the sluggish economy.

The fine-dining restaurant, in operation nearly five years at the complex at 1409 Hammond Ave., will keep its normal

Tuesday-through-Saturday hours and serve lunches and dinners until then, owner Barbara Krause said.

“When we first opened, business was good,” she said. “Then, every year it just went down a little bit and a little bit.”

And as business dropped off, she would have to lay off staff, she said.

From a high of 35 employees in its early days, the restaurant now employs 12, said Krause, who took on more roles as she shrank her staff.

She blames the closure on the poor economy and road construction.

“It’s been pretty tough,” she said. With the majority of their customers coming from Minnesota, she said any time there was road construction or bridge work, business was hurt. And more bridge ramp work is coming this summer, she said.

“It’s a sad thing,” she said. “I wish it wasn’t happening, but that’s the way it goes. We really had some wonderful clientele. And I think the people who did come to our restaurant truly enjoyed it.”

News of the closing was posted Thursday on the restaurant’s website, thanking those who have supported them over the past 4½ years. It gave a special thanks to the women from the Red Hat Society for their continuous patronage and support.

“We will miss you all,” it said.

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