After 45 Years, Epiphany Diner Says Goodbye To The Fair
FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (WCCO) -- A State Fair landmark is going away.
After 45 years of dishing out meals, the Epiphany Diner is closing its doors at the end of this year's State Fair.
The diner is ground zero for Minnesota church food. The diner serves turkey, roast beef, mashed potatoes and burgers.
Fairgoer Cecilia McCkenzie, of Northfield, Minn., said the diner means a lot to her.
"It means a square meal without getting a lot of fattening foods," she said.
The diner is run by the Catholic Church of the Epiphany in Coon Rapids, Minn., and it's an all volunteer effort. Even the pastor pitches in.
But after serving fairgoers for nearly half a century, the diner is moving out. The building that houses the diner needs an expensive new roof, a deep frier and an oven. Profits are also down, and that helped the church make the decision to close the diner's doors.
Father Dennis Zehren, pastor of the Catholic Church of the Epiphany, said the diner has received an outpouring of love during its final stand.
"Many people have come up to me, hugging me," he said.
A division of the Minnesota Farm Winery Association has purchased the building the diner called home, and it will show off some wines and also offer up some food.
