“It’s a very ambitious schedule but everyone is anxious to get it up and running,” said Beverly Lyon, manager of Poulsbo Village, which owns the property.

The restaurant will be built at the same location on the existing foundation, but will have a different design, featuring a Northwest lodge look with vaulted ceilings, open beans and materials like cedar. Although the look will be a departure from the previous “all-American” feel, the food and the concept will be the same. “The philosophy is to create a casual atmosphere,” Lyon said. “A lot of the same staff will be back, including the manager, so there will be a lot of familiar faces.”

The restaurant, which was located off State Route 305, was engulfed in a blaze on May 30, 2006, that was reportedly caused by a stove that was left on.

Poulsbo Village representatives have worked with city officials to address environmental issues, due to the nearby Dogfish Creek. The site is within the 40-foot buffer required to protect the stream.

“To allow them to rebuild on the existing foundation… they had to get a reasonable use exception from buffer requirements,” said Kristin Moerler, city associate planner. To mitigate, Poulsbo Village will perform work on the stream that will improve the corridor and the buffer. The city will do similar work at the south end of Poulsbo Village, where the city purchased park property.

“We are hoping it’s a win-win for the stream, as well as for Mitzel’s,” Moerler said.

Mitzel’s American Kitchen is part of the Elmer’s chain of restaurants based in Portland, Ore., and has five other locations in Puget Sound.

“We most definitely wanted them (the restaurant) to continue to be a presence in Poulsbo,” Lyon said. “I know the community is anxious to see the doors open again.”.