WALLINGFORD, Conn. (AP)_ Damage from a fire 10 months ago has prompted the owners of the landmark Yankee Silversmith Inn in Wallingford to shut down for good.

The 146-year-old inn suffered water and structural damage in the fire and its owners say they have decided not to rebuild it.

The Mesite family says that restoring the inn would be too costly.

The family says it wanted to rebuild the restaurant and reopen it to people who traveled across the state and region to dine in the railroad dining car attached to the restaurant.

The family says it will host a Yankee Silversmith estate auction in upcoming weeks and donate some of the money to Wallingford-area charities.

Information from: Record-Journal, http://www.record-journal.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)