When it comes to the Charlestown Cafe's grand reopening, restaurant loyalists are hungry for the latest on when that day will arrive. They call the Herald often each week.

"We're telling people July 1," said co-owner Larry Mellum. "That way, if we open a few days early, it's better than a few days late. We're getting our entire staff back, and we will throw an 'employee cleaning party' one week before we reopen."

Mellum says the workers will do some decorating like painting and hanging pictures.

A new commercial development, Charlestown Center, is being built on the opposite corner with a possible restaurant space. Mellum said he had considered moving in there if things had not worked out at his current location.

"That space is only 1,500 square feet and ours is 3,500 (square feet.) It's awfully small for a restaurant like ours," he said.