Four Inns, old-school St. Paul diner, set to close

Photo: Bob Collins/MPR

Another gaping hole in the downtown St. Paul skyway system is emerging.

Four Inns, the old-school diner, is closing up shop, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Owner Diedre Renchin, who bought the place in 2011, said when she heard Ecolab was moving from a nearby office tower to the soon-to-be-former Traveler’s building over the next few years, that was the nail in the coffin.

But she said business hasn’t been that great in recent years, no surprise considering the growing number of empty storefronts in the skyway, where it can be a challenge to find a bite to eat after 2 p.m.

“I’ve lain awake at night trying to figure out how to keep it open, but it’s time,” Renchin told the Press.

Friday is the last day.