Neruda, the Edwardsville fine-dining restaurant helmed for the past 14 years by former Balaban's co-owner Madt Mallinckrodt, will close after Valentine's Day service.

The website notes that "a new and enticing concept restaurant for the Edwardsville area" will take over the space in the Club Centre Court strip center on Highway 157.

Neruda can legitimately claim an authentic Balaban's heritage: Two of the founders, Mallinckrodt and Sean Gallagher, had roughly 30 years' experience at (and ownership interests in) the Central West End landmark before they opened Neruda in August, 1997.

Mallinckrodt, part of the partnership that purchased the original Balaban's from Herb Balaban in 1986, eventually became the sole owner of Neruda. He cites his retirement from the restaurant business as the reason for the closing.