Downers Grove Bohemian Garden restaurant to close

DOWNERS GROVE – Downers Grove residents soon will have to find a new place to get their breaded pork tenderloin and sauerbraten.

After more than two decades in business, the owners of Bohemian Garden, 980 W. 75th St., Downers Grove, plan to close the restaurant and banquet facility.

The restaurant will close at the end of January, while the banquet hall will remain open until June to accommodate events that have been booked.

Restaurant manager and chef Joe Wodjyla, son of owners John and Anna Wodjyla, said his parents are retiring.

“It’s sad to see [the restaurant close], but my parents have put in a lot of hours and lot of time in the place,” he said. “I’m happy for them to get a chance to enjoy life a little bit.”

Joe said his parents, who live in Downers Grove, eventually may move back to their native Poland.

The restaurant opened in 1987, serving Bohemian, Czech, Slovak, Polish and German cuisine.

The Wodjylas, who previously had owned a bar in Chicago, purchased the restaurant in 1994, keeping the same menu.

Joe and his sister, Yolanda, have grown up working in the restaurant.

Yolanda said she will remember all the celebrations that took place at the restaurant and the shared life memories she experienced with customers.

“There are some customers that we’ve known since we were little kids, and they watched us growing up,” she said.

Joe said he plans to stay in the restaurant business, either opening up a banquet hall or a restaurant.

However, keeping the Bohemian Garden running is not something he thinks he can do on his own.

“The goal of my parents was to get my sister through college [before retiring],” he said. “She wasn’t interested in continuing the business.”

The property is available for lease. Those interested can call Elaine Zannis at 630-915-8648.

More restaurant news

The closing of Bohemian Garden is not the only restaurant news happening in Downers Grove.

Mia’s Cantina has quietly opened its doors at 1012 Curtiss St. It is a soft opening, with hours from 5 to 10 p.m. each day and a limited menu. The Mexican grill and tequila bar plans to have a grand opening in a couple of weeks.

After opening in September, Keystone Bar and Grill, 7231 Lemont Road, has temporarily closed for remodeling and rebranding. According to the restaurant’s Facebook page, a new management team has been brought in to help make improvements and expand the menu.

Additionally, Lemon Tree Grocer/Zest Bistro in Downers Grove closed its doors Dec. 31 for remodeling and reconcepting. While there is some debate about the future of Lemon Tree, the owners would like to open later this year with a revamped restaurant and scaled grocery store options.