Iconic restaurant and live music venue has been closed since June following fire damage.

SARASOTA COUNTY — A classic Old Florida eatery, beer joint and live music venue is rising from the ashes.

J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe, which has been closed since June following fire damage, is set to reopen.

“Remodel work is progressing fast and furiously on the new and improved JR’s Old Packinghouse Cafe thanks to the support of the community, J.R.’s patrons, employees, musicians, and vendors,” Jenni Arevalo, the unofficial spokesperson for J.R’s, said via email. “In the next couple of weeks we’ll be able to project dates and the bands involved for several grand openings, including porch parties, as the doors get closer to fully opening.”

This statement was posted on J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe’s Facebook page:

“While it was hoped that the OPC would be open in November, (owner J.R. Garraus) tells us today that it’s now looking certain for a late December or early January reopening for the much loved cafe. He’s still waiting for all the contracts to be finalized before making an official announcement. Unfortunately, no Thanksgiving food from JR’s this year. ”

Garraus, who has been the owner and chef of “the OPC” since 1999, texted the Herald-Tribune the same message as the Facebook post. Then he added:

“Will be able to send more detailed information shortly … Should know more by end of this week.”

The same fire that damaged J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe in June destroyed several buildings in the 900 block of Packinghouse Road in Sarasota County.

A restaurant and concert venue equally renowned for its Cuban sandwich and loyal patrons, USA Today nominated the restaurant for a “Best Cuban sandwich in Florida” voting contest in May. It’s a popular item on a menu filled with Cuban dishes such as black beans and rice other comfort foods.

The cafe is also well-known for serving ice-cold draft beers, including selections from nearby Big Top Brewing Co.

As for live music, many of the region’s top blues, country, folk and bluegrass artists have played on the intimate stage facing the dining area and bar.

Then, there’s the famed decor. The cafe has numerous handmade marquees outside donated by patrons. There are also faded signs on the outside walls advertising everything from “Heineken’s Bier” to “Land O’Sun Dairy Products.” None of these appeared damaged by the fire.

The interior walls were covered with license plates, press clippings and band posters. It’s unclear how much of the interior decorations survived the smoke damage.