Brio Gusto Restaurant & Wine Bar is closing on Oct. 5 after 15 years in business.

Owner and chef Lindsey Dupuis had a baby six months ago. On Friday at the restaurant, she said she's made the difficult decision to sell the assets and close the restaurant to spend more time with her family.

Dupuis said she worked through her pregnancy and took four weeks off after the birth - and then she was back on the job.

Although her son has come to work with her daily, she says now she wants to make a lifestyle change.

"I'd prefer to be with him," she said, gesturing at her son in a stroller at the restaurant, being doted on by his grandparents.

Dupuis, 31, was hired at the restaurant 10 years ago as a dishwasher.

She later went to Niagara Culinary Institute and started working at the restaurant as a chef.

Six years ago, she bought the restaurant from Scott Wood, who now owns Ashburnham Ale House.

Dupuis said she's privately selling the restaurant assets; the space is owned by downtown landlord AON Inc.

The annual Harvest Dinner at Brio Gusto - a seven-course meal with wine pairings - will take place a final time on Sept. 27 (it's usually held in October).

Following that, the last night of service will be on Oct. 5.

Dupuis said there are 15 people working at Brio Gusto; she praises her staff, and predicts they will all find work in Peterborough's fine eateries.

"There's a big shortage of great cooks in this town - and these guys are great," she said.

Even Jerry Seinfeld ate there before his 2014 comedy show at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

NOTE: Tickets for the Harvest Dinner were still available on Friday. Call Brio Gusto at 705-745-6100 for more information.

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