This photo essay is a tribute to the ten year anniversary of Sweet Red Bistro in Albany, Oregon owned and operated by Cyndi Alire and her family. Along with the coming and going of other employees throughout its ten year progression as all restaurants experience. Because Cyndi’s parents were missionaries she spent years growing up in Costa Rica. During that time she would go with her family to charming little cafes lit by candlelight and feast. She was inspired to recreate that atmosphere and ambiance in her own bistro someday.
In the years leading up to the grand opening Cyndi spent two decades of her life working for the Novak’s family restaurant. She tells me “it was a blessing in my life to be a part of their restaurant and family” there she enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the service industry. After years of working as a waitress Cyndi opened up Sweet Red Bistro on 11/11/2011. In the interview she recalls a memory of that day where her son Anthony served hot cocoa to all the participants and patrons of the city's annual veterans day parade downtown Albany. Cyndi has a nac for creating romantic spaces and artistically displayed food. The vongsay at Sweet Red Bistro matches that of the swanky upscale romantic dining experience of a 1920s speakeasy.
I asked her to embellish on how it feels to celebrate the ten year anniversary of Sweet Red Bistro. She expressed an immense amount of gratitude towards those who helped to get her to this point. During the celebration she was in awe of the outpour of love and celebration she experienced. Sweet Red Bistro offers lunch, dinner, and late night menu options plated elegantly. They are well known for their diverse wine selections; it is a variety of domestic and imported wines hand selected by Cyndi and her wine connoisseurs. In addition to wine they have an innovative mixologist named Wakisha working the bar as well.
Cyndi opened up about the hardships of owning a small local business especially in times of economic hardship like the one we have been experiencing. She recalls many moments of hardship, “too many to count” she says. There were many nights of exhaustion, financial struggle , and loss of hope but she never gave up on making her dream a reality. In fact she said “everytime I walk through the door to music, laughter, glasses clinking, and my guest celebrating in the sweet red fashion my heart feels full.”
Cyndi explains that the restaurant business truly is a difficult one. It takes long hours of hard work and exhausting dedication. She suggests doing some research, maybe even working at an entry level position in a restaurant to gain experience. But if you have a dream, never give up on it.
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