Retro Bistro closes Crystal Lake restaurant to focus on health

After two years in downtown Crystal Lake, Retro Bistro closed Sunday.

Chef Chris Barth, who co-owns the restaurant with his wife, Lorraine, said he made the decision to close the Crystal Lake and Mount Prospect locations to devote more time to his health. Barth was diagnosed with cancer in September and plans to begin a new treatment.

“It was a very difficult decision on our part, but we couldn’t have been more thrilled with our pick of Crystal Lake,” Barth said. “At this time, I have to put my family first, and put myself first here.”

The restaurant was open for nearly 28 years in Mount Prospect and expanded to downtown Crystal Lake in 2016 at 83 N. Williams St. The menu included French bistro classics along with more contemporary plates, according to the restaurant’s website.

Barth said he gave the staff several weeks’ notice to have time to find other work, and he was thrilled when all of his employees found other jobs.

“When you work with people as closely as you do, you see those people sometimes more than your own family, and they become your friends and family,” Barth said.

Other businesses in Crystal Lake reached out to Barth looking for quality cooks, bartenders and wait staff, he said.

The restaurant had its last day Easter – and it was one of the restaurant’s busiest.

“We’ve had a number of people who came in ... from [Holy] Communions to baptisms, bridal showers and in some cases, memorial services,” Barth said. “We wanted to be there for that last family get-together.”

Barth owns the Retro building, and he said he plans to stick around the Crystal Lake community as a building owner.

“We’ve had many, many people looking at the location for another restaurant concept,” Barth said. “We want to thank all of our customers and wonderful employees, and you never know what may happen in the future. If we get healthier, we may come back with a new concept restaurant.”