Restauranteur Zoe Robinson sells Bobo Noodle House

After seven years, owner Zoe Robinson is handing over the keys to Bobo Noodle House, at 278 Skinker Blvd., near Washington University. New owner Kary Lockwood takes over the Southeast Asian eatery tomorrow, Dec. 16. Lockwood previously owned State Street Market in Alton for six years before relocating to Clayton.

Robinson, who also owns I Fratellini and Bar Les Freres in Clayton, said she has her sights on a another project and the time was right to hand Bobo over to her longtime friend. “I always like change,” Robinson said. “I like to have things fresh and new. It’s about creating.”

Bobo, however, won’t change. Robinson said the staff will stay the same, and she and chef Ni Vongsaly, who helms all her restaurants, will continue to assist during the transition. “That’s part of the beauty of this. She’s going into a turnkey restaurant,” she said.

Robinson said handing over the keys tomorrow morning will be bittersweet. “I worked with some really amazing people there, and a lot of my employees have been there since we opened,” she said.

-photo by Greg Rannells