Paris Bistro, the family-owned French restaurant in Naperville Crossings off Route 59, has permanently closed after more than 13 years in business.

The restaurant announced the closure on Sunday, June 7, in a social media post signed by "The Paris Bistro Family." The post did not give a reason for shutting down.

Court records tell a harder story. A brief filed in the restaurant's Chapter 11 bankruptcy case said the business had to cease operations immediately because it could not meet payroll, according to Northern District of Illinois filings reported by the Naperville Sun.

Paris Bistro, operating as Creperie D'Amour Inc., filed for bankruptcy in April 2024.

The filing traced the restaurant's decline to the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that accumulated debt and missed rent payments forced the owners into bankruptcy protection. Despite menu changes and community outreach, the filing stated that revenue continued to decline dramatically.

The business requested dismissal of its reorganization case the week before the closure announcement. A court date is scheduled for June 30.

Owner Jonathon Santos had publicly signaled the restaurant's financial struggles. At a September 2024 City Council meeting, Santos urged Naperville to lift its ban on video gambling, calling the machines "a tremendous help" to businesses facing climbing food costs. Mayor Scott Wehrli said he did not see a compelling reason to change the policy, and the council declined to take up the issue.

Naperville resident Irina Haydon founded Paris Bistro in April 2013 at 2835 Showplace Drive, wanting an alternative to chain restaurants in the area. The restaurant moved to a larger space at 2656 Showplace Drive in 2021. Its signature dish was the "Mona Lisa" crepe, stuffed with rotisserie chicken, mushrooms, spinach, bacon, artichoke hearts, and sundried tomatoes.

The closure drew dozens of lengthy, heart pouring comments on social media from customers.

"At this point there are no words that can express my sadness over this but I’m sure grateful to have had the opportunity to perform there and to have had my 75th Birthday so elegantly & efficiently catered to last Saturday!," one person commented on Facebook.

"Oh, I'm so sad to hear this. Our favorite restaurant in Naperville, and the place I always wanted to spend my birthday," another user commented.

"Was planning to come with my book club! I’m glad to have been able to experience your food and ambience!" someone else said.