Kent’s Bistro on Main Closing After 23 Years

Bistro on Main in Kent is closing its doors for good. Owners Dave and Cathy Tribuzzo shared the news on the restaurant’s Facebook page, calling it a heartbreaking decision. The restaurant sits at 1313 W. Main St., near the Kent and Stow line. It has served Portage County diners for 23 years. A Hard Decision for the Owners The Tribuzzos said the choice did not come quickly. They described long conversations, sleepless nights and plenty of soul-searching before deciding to close. “Bistro on Main has been so much more than a restaurant,” the owners wrote. “It has been our home away from home.” The couple did not share a reason for the closing. They also did not announce a final day of service. Two Decades of Celebrations Bistro on Main opened in August 2002. Dave Tribuzzo launched it with his stepson, Aaron Ruggles. The restaurant began as a fine dining spot and later shifted to a bistro style. Over the years, it became a go-to place for birthdays, anniversaries and holiday dinners. Regulars knew it for its scratch kitchen, bourbon selection and patio seating. The owners said those moments meant the most. In their post, they wrote that strangers became familiar faces and friends became family. A Thank You to Kent The Tribuzzos thanked their guests, their current and former employees and the wider community. They credited loyal customers for supporting them through good times and hard ones. “Although the doors of Bistro on Main will close, the friendships and memories made within these walls never will,” they wrote. Their message ended simply. “Twenty-three years. Countless memories. A lifetime of gratitude.”