Jean-Pierre Debeuf, owner of Lavender Bistro in Tryon, has decided to sell the business in the coming weeks, but not under normal circumstances.

The bistro isn’t in any sort of financial trouble or legal trouble. The restaurant is in fact doing very well according to Debeuf.

His father, who is living is France, has been diagnosed with bone cancer, which has prompted him to return to his hometown to help his mother take care of him.

“I am an only child, so I have to do the right thing,” said Debeuf.

Debeuf moved to America in 1983 after completing culinary school. He and five other classmates accepted a contract with a large hotel in Boston, Mass.

In 2010, Debeuf decided he had enough of the snow and cold winters, and made the move to North Carolina.

He first opened Lavender Bistro in Rutherfordton in 2012 before moving to its current location at 82 North Trade Street in Tryon shortly after.

“It’s been great here since day one,” said Debeuf. “The customers knew me from the other restaurant and from my time as chef at Stone Soup, so I had a following.”

“It has a lot to do with the way we treat the people. The service is good,” he added.

Debeuf regularly prepares dishes by request that are not on his menu, and provides delicacies not usually found in Western North Carolina such as oysters and lobster.

“Because of that people come in two or three times a week,” he said.

Debeuf described his small and tight-knit staff as family.

“They all want to stay,” he said. “They love the kitchen and the cooking.”

Debeuf believes that will continue to be the case under the new ownership.

While not yet finalized, Debeuf has what he describes as a very serious buyer lined up that he suspects will carry on the business as-is.

“It’s a no brainer,” said Debeuf. “There’s so many restaurants opening that have to work to build their clientele and it’s already done here.”

“I’ve made all the mistakes already,” he added.

Debeuf is setting forth plans that are very supportive of the Bistro’s future success. He expects to completely hand the operation over by September 1 and work with the new owner in a transitional period that will familiarize them with the menu and clients.

“I want to make the transition as easy as possible,” said Debeuf who is passionate about helping the new owner succeed.

“We worked hard building a name and a successful business,” Debeuf said.  “It would bum me out to see that Lavender Bistro closed in six months.”

Debeuf plans to remain in France, and visit the Tryon area periodically on vacations.

“We love the area, and never thought about leaving,” he said.

Debeuf described the upcoming changes as a bit scary.

“I’ve lived here for 30 years,” said Debeuf. “I’m going to have to learn again how to be a French person.”

Debeuf has already procured a place to live, and will soon be shipping his belongings, including two of his four horses, to the location in France.

“Moving to a different continent is very stressful, and there is a lot to worry about,” Debeuf said.

Jean-Pierre and Judi, his wife and business partner, will soon begin the bittersweet move to France, and plan to be fully transitioned by October.

“We are so thankful for the support from everyone here,” he said. “This town is so nice to us.”