Bourbons Smokehouse in New Lenox closed Monday after more than two years in operation.
The owners, Joe and Tonya Regiro, announced the decision Saturday on Facebook, a week after they said a staffing shortage forced them to reduce hours and cut menu options. In the restaurant’s final days, the owners kept the doors open from 4-9 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, officially closing on Monday.
The Regiros did not immediately respond to messages Monday, but the co-owners expressed their feelings on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
“We are deeply saddened and devastated to close,” the Regiros said wrote. “This was Joe’s dream and livelihood. So come on out and spend time with us on our last two days.”
New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann expressed his sympathy for the owners, noting the challenging environment for small businesses has worsened because of inflation, which reduced foot traffic in restaurants.
“It’s obviously incredibly difficult to to own a small business, and the quality meat they were making is expensive,” he said. “And, you know, with the economy the way that it is, people are having to really be selective with their choices.”
The slow-smoked barbecue business opened its first dine-in restaurant in New Lenox at 280 E. Lincoln Highway, in March 2022, transitioning from a catering only operation based in Tinley Park.
Baldermann said the site was formerly home to LA Cafe, a popular Mexican place that permanently closed after a fire in 2012.
A week before closing, the Regiros said they hoped to return to regular hours once more staff was hired.
“Please support us during this very difficult time. We have to adjust our hours and menu temporarily as we rebuild our team,” Joe Regiro wrote on Facebook Oct. 27. “We really need your support right now. Please come and dine in, call in for carryout or place your order online. We really need it.”
The owners saw an outpouring of support from community members who commented about the smokehouse’s food quality and level of service, and expressed disappointment at seeing it close.
Baldermann said such hardships are happening beyond New Lenox.
“It’s a little frustrating because, you know, everybody’s always saying, ‘hey, we don’t want chains. We want single-owner, small mom-and-pop businesses,’ and then everyone invests their time in that and their money, and the community needs to really come out and and support those places,” Baldermann said. “It’s just incredibly difficult for people to make it like that if they don’t have the big money of being a chain.”
The owners cited other reasons for closing such as poor foot traffic and an insufficient number of daily orders either by phone, online or walk-in customers to keep the business afloat, despite efforts to boost sales through promotions. The owners also attributed high inflation, expensive meats and labor costs as significant challenges.
“I sincerely wish the entire community the best and I hope they can support the mom and pops, especially the new ones,” they wrote. “Spread the worth around. Give them a chance to make things right and please don’t discard them if they make a mistake. They’re human and working hard behind the scenes.”
Baldermann said the Regiros leased the space, and now that the smokehouse has closed, he anticipates another business will take its place.
The owners have not indicated whether they plan to relocate and try again, but Baldermann expressed doubt about that possibility.
“They haven’t said, but I just think that they poured their heart and soul and, of course, their hard-earned money into it,” he said. “They had a great product. It was delicious food. They’re very nice people. They were very generous with the community. But, you know, it’s expensive to eat out now, and these last couple of years have been so tough on families to be able to go out and eat.”
smoilanen@chicagotribune.com
