ELMHURST – After nearly a decade in Elmhurst, restaurant and wine bar Flight 112 closed March 31 at 110 W. Park Ave.

Flight 112 owner Visal Kheam and his family have decided to move to Charleston, S.C., when the school year ends for his children, who attend Immanuel Lutheran School, he said.

Kheam said customers have approached him to tell him stories of their experiences at Flight 112.

"That's really cool because we created memories for people," he said.

Among people reminiscing about their experiences at the restaurant on its penultimate night were Beth and Bruce Wilkens, who said they dine there about every six weeks. Their children also threw them a combined surprise 60th birthday party at Flight 112, Beth said. Bruce added he will miss the garden patio.

Terri Lopez and Eric Holler joined Lorelei and Paul Reyes for dinner and drinks March 30 at the venue. Lopez and Holler had their first date at Flight 112.

Executive Chef Michael Ortiz, who has worked at the restaurant for about nine years, said he has seen the menu evolve and the place grow over the years, as items such as cheese plates were later supplemented by a full menu. He said people can email him for recipes, and he might teach in the culinary field.

"[I] will miss customers we've had for so long," Ortiz said, adding he was grateful for the customers, including many regulars with whom he has built relationships.

Krystle Baetiong, head server and bartender for roughly three years, said staff members have known for about a month the establishment was going to close.

"It's been really nice to be part of something. ... Flight 112 has been such a fixture in the community," Baetiong said.

Kheam said the business was put on the market more than a year ago, and there are a couple people interested in the location.

He expects it will be about a month to a month and a half until another owner opens a business at the location. It might be a barbecue place, a Mexican restaurant or a wine bar, he said.

As for his own future plans, Kheam said he will probably stay in the restaurant business.