The Boheme Bistro is taking a proactive approach to cleaning up its act.

Pete Sherman, owner of the establishment at 2900 West St. and associate professor of aerospace engineering and statistics, said he and his employees are more aware of the inappropriate behavior of the customers.

“We have put up a number of signs throughout the establishment describing what type of behavior is unacceptable,” Sherman said.

Lara Parkin, co-manager of the Boheme and junior in performing arts, said she experienced some of that behavior working there.

“Any inappropriate behavior I’ve seen, I’ve dealt with right away,” Parkin said. “We have a zero-tolerance policy here. We are all very sensitive and very aware.”

Over the summer, Sherman sought someone to buy the business, planning to close it if he didn’t find anyone by the end of the summer.

However, one prospective buyer, Darrell Lewis, informed Sherman that some of the regular customers had displayed inappropriate behavior toward other customers. This behavior included groping and touching.

After hearing of this, Sherman decided to keep the business going so he could rebuild its reputation and make amends with the community.

“I think the energy and the behavior have picked up, as well as the numbers,” Sherman said.

Sherman said he received positive feedback from customers when they found out he planned to keep the Boheme open.

Ashley Hamilton, server at the Boheme and student at DMACC, said she thinks the staff appeals to different types of people that go to the Boheme.

“There is no such place as the Boheme in Ames or in Iowa or in the U.S.,” said Natalya Notorova, server at the Boheme and student at DMACC.

“You get to know a lot of people working here.”

Many people go to the Boheme for the unique atmosphere it offers in Ames.

“[The Boheme] is calm, quiet and friendly,” said Ehsan Kayal, a student from France and customer at the Boheme. “I am looking to meet more people.”

Parkin said the Boheme is a place for people to go to get away from the club scene.

James Finch, co-manager of the Boheme and Ames resident, described some of the Boheme crowd as hipsters.

“They are just kind of artsy, stylish. They are free individuals,” Finch said. “They are just trying to be themselves.”

The Boheme also gets a lot of international students and graduate students.

“We lose that crowd in the summer because a lot of people go home,” Parkin said.

Right now, Sherman is putting his energy toward getting the Boheme atmosphere back to where he wants it.

“There has been minimal interaction with interested parties,” Sherman said about finding new ownership for the business.

“My focus is to make it the best environment I can in the time that I have there.”