Another State Fair icon bites the dust

Minneapolis Star Tribune ^ | August 16, 2011 - 10:25 PM | RICK NELSON

[Hunton Peck]

Edged out by corn dogs and chocolate-dipped bacon, one of the few remaining church dining halls at the fairgrounds is calling it quits.

File this one under E, for End-of-an-Era. Or at least the beginning of the end.

When the State Fair opens for its 148th year next Thursday, it's going to be the last season for the Epiphany Diner. The landmark dining hall, operated by the Church of the Epiphany in Coon Rapids and one of the fair's three remaining church-run operations, is closing up shop after this year's fair. Its space will be used for tasting Minnesota wines.

"It's been a tough decision, and we hate to see it go," said the Rev. Dennis Zehren.

The main reason for the closure is simple: declining revenues. According to figures released by the State Fair, the dining hall had gross sales of $156,851 in 2009. Last year they were $137,456.

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Although a wine bar is more in keeping with the times, many will likely miss the old-fashioned diner. The church and the fair share a long history, dating back to 1966. "Before that, St. Joseph's parish in West St. Paul had it, and before that another parish had it," said Zehren. "It has been a Catholic dining hall for a good long time."

It's a comfort to know that fairgoers can rely upon the Epiphany one last time for a shaded table, a kid- and senior-friendly atmosphere, a souvenir church cookbook and an affordable hot turkey, chicken or roast beef dinner, before saying their goodbyes.

"I think that it's going to be emotional," Zehren said. "Lots of tears and hugging and toasting and raising our eyes to heaven. But we're going to go out on a positive note, expressing our gratitude and reliving happy memories."

[DManA]

I saw Fargo in a Twin Cities movie theater. The audience somewhere between twittered and roared every time someone opened their mouth.

It’s like looking at yourself in a fun house mirror. You kind of recognize yourself but it is so distorted and exaggerated it you can’t help laughing.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

There is another Czech community like NP down in Cedar Rapids, IA. The CR “Bohemia” bakeries were just outstanding. I used to call on Wilson's Foods (pork packing plant) and if I didn't stop and bring in some bakery goods, I couldn't get anyone’s attention.

[Hunton Peck]

I had lived in the South for years, and thought I'd shed my accent. But one day I was working in North Carolina, calling on a little, rural general store. When it came time to sell the owner on next season's stock, I went into my spiel, talking for several minutes as the owner's brow furrowed, leaving me to wonder what I was saying wrong.

Once I finished, she stared for a few more seconds, and then asked, "Boy, whar'd ye git that brogue?"

[WorkingClassFilth]

John Schumacher reopened the restaurant with an cafe style menu of more trendy dishes. There were a few old standby items, but the old Bohemian/German menu was gone. It ran a couple years and closed down last winter or early spring, I believe. I heard from a waitress that his wife has cancer and they wanted to devout time to beating it. I live in the area and went to the new place once - nothing like the old world place before, but good enough for a night out.

[Hunton Peck]

Thanks for the update. I’m sorry to hear about his wife’s cancer. I sure hope she beats it, if that’s still a possibility.