PHOTO BY COREY WOODRUFF

The "Purple Martin Nest" featured hard-boiled eggs marinated in beets, alongside pickled veggies, greens and harissa.

The Purple Martin (2800 Shenandoah) will be closing its doors December 23 after nearly three years in St. Louis' Fox Park neighborhood.

The eatery and neighborhood gathering spot served North African and Middle-Eastern inflected food at the corner of Shenandoah and California, earning praise from critics and drawing a host of regulars. In October 2015, executive chef Dale Williams came aboard.

PHOTO BY COREY WOODRUFF

The Purple Martin was located in Fox Park

But owner Brooke Roseberry indicated in a press release issued this morning that it just wasn't enough.“The Purple Martin was truly a labor of love,” Roseberry said. “Others and I have poured our heart and soul into keeping it open, but it has basically just not worked out.”Roseberry said she is talking to others "who are interested in taking over," adding, "We hope they will reopen the space after making necessary changes so that it can truly benefit the neighborhood and be a spot for our neighbors across the city to come together.”Roseberry notes that the free library at the restaurant's doors will remain open. For more of her thoughts, see her Facebook Notes post . And if you're looking for one last meal, the Purple Martin is open Monday through Saturday beginning at 5 p.m.