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“We will keep the public informed every step of the way,” said Welch, who is undertaking his second business venture in East Milton.
In October 2007, a fire forced Welch to close Java Jo’s after 15 years at 556 Adams St. He said the Building Department continues to oversee ongoing renovations to the building where the new business will open.
According to Welch, the restaurant has also undergone a name change. Originally to be named Stone Park, it will be called Abby Park, after the Milton Abbey, a church in England from which the town derived its name.
“We always kind of liked the name Abby Park better from the beginning,” Welch told the Times.
He said the name was the “creative idea” of Jackrabbit Design, the advertising firm that recently moved to Edge Hill Road.
The company has been working on designing the new restaurant’s Web site, according to Dave Belyea, co-founder of Jackrabbit.
“We’re doing everything from restaurant logo to menu design,” said Belyea, who has also helped the school system’s Web site.
He said residents will be able to get a preview of the restaurant online, before it opens its doors, by viewing photos and menu items.
“We’re very excited to have this opening in town,” Belyea said. “Obviously we’re privy to some of the designs going on there. It’s going to be a really, really nice place.”
In September, Selectmen granted the establishment an alcohol-pouring license after several public hearings, although they voted to cap liquor sales to 25 percent of all transactions.
Selectman John Shields said he has known Welch for a long time and is rooting for him to succeed.
“We all wish you the best of luck. We’re all really kind of pulling for you here,” he told Welch after the board heard a recent update of the business.
Welch has brought in the services of Steve Tedesco to design the restaurant, which he has promoted as “American-style fine dining.”
Tedesco’s previous work includes designing the Davio’s restaurants in Boston and Foxboro.
He designed Abby Park to serve up to 128 patrons on the upper level and 32 patrons in a private area downstairs, Welch said.
“The overall layout has not changed since the beginning,” he said.
The initial menu offers dishes that are largely seafood-based, such as swordfish, codfish, scallops, shrimp scampi, lobster and tuna. Other offerings include filet mignon, sirloin, lamb, duck and specialty thin-crust pizzas, as well as various salads and appetizers.
Patrons waiting for a table will be limited to two drinks at the bar, which can seat no more than 22, according to a provision in the license. The bar will also serve food.
Welch said the likely hours of operation will be from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and 5 p.m. to midnight for dinner.
Parking for patrons will be at the adjacent Falconi building on Franklin Street and the Citizens Bank on Adams Street.