A popular St. Paul gathering place has abruptly closed its doors, ending a six-year run in a historic building. The sudden announcement came just days after the restaurant was burglarized, although the owner says the break-in was not responsible for the closure.
The Gnome closes immediately
The Gnome Craft Pub, located at 498 Selby Ave. in St. Paul’s Cathedral Hill neighborhood, announced Friday, August 21, that it was closing permanently. The pub had operated for six years under restaurateurs Brian and Sarah Ingram’s Purpose Restaurants group.
The restaurant opened in August 2020, during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ingrams transformed a historic former firehouse into the pub and expanded its outdoor patio.
Building problems behind closure
According to owner Brian Ingram, the decision came after the restaurant discovered significant problems with the building that could not be overcome as tenants.
The Gnome had already been closed during the week for roof repairs. Ingram said an inspection of a roof leak revealed substantially more damage than the business initially knew about. The restaurant leases the historic property rather than owning it.
The building itself is more than 140 years old, adding to the significance of the closure for the Cathedral Hill neighborhood.
Closure follows recent burglary
The announcement came only days after a burglary at The Gnome. Police said approximately $1,300 in cash was stolen, while the restaurant reported thousands of dollars in damage. A suspect was later arrested in connection with the Gnome burglary and an attempted break-in at another nearby restaurant.
The restaurant wants to give back
Before closing, The Gnome plans to donate its remaining food, supplies, and beverages to restaurants and nonprofits in need. The owners also said their community-focused work will continue through their other businesses and initiatives.
The closure marks the end of The Gnome’s six-year chapter in St. Paul, but the Ingrams say they intend to remain committed to the city and continue operating their other local restaurants.
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