After 36 years, Snuffy’s Malt Shop on Cleveland Avenue in St. Paul is saying farewell. The last day for the restaurant that’s served up countless malts and cheeseburgers is July 25.

“With a heavy heart we decided not to sign a new lease on our Highland location. It’s a really sad time for us,” said Dana Bach, vice president of marketing.

Bach said the decision to close was based on a combination of factors: a rent increase, property tax increases and ADA compliance issues. “It’s making it tough for us to continue operating at this location,” she said.

However, Bach said they hope this isn’t the end of Snuffy’s Malt Shop in St. Paul.

“We hope a new opportunity in the Mac-Grove(land) and Highland area opens up for us because the Snuffy’s brand is alive and well, and we would love to continue to serve the loyal Highland community in the future,” Bach said.

The St. Paul Snuffy’s Malt Shop on Cleveland and St. Clair avenues opened in 1983 and was followed by more Twin Cities restaurant locations and malt stands.

Three Snuffy’s Malt Shop restaurants — Edina and Minnetonka and one in Bloomington that just opened in April — will continue to operate. Snuffy’s also operates malt stands at CHS Field and Xcel Energy Center.

The Original Malt Shop on Larpenteur Avenue in Roseville was once a Snuffy’s Malt Shop. In 2016, the name changed to The Original Malt Shop after an ownership split.

Snuffy’s Malt Shop: 244 Cleveland Ave. S., St. Paul; 651-690-1846; snuffysmaltshops.com