The sign outside The Barkley Square says "We Are Renovating" but the iconic restaurant sits untouched by contractors.
New owners announced in April that the Yonge Street eatery would have a makeover and reopen within two months with a new operator.
A local was lined up for the job but Toronto realtor and shareholder Esmail (Essy) Taeb says the deal fell through.
"All this time was wasted with these people," said Taeb, who speaks for the Toronto doctor that purchased Barkley Square. "It's a shame that the summertime has passed and we were hoping to open so people could come and enjoy but unfortunately it didn't happen."
The doctor wants to remain anonymous according to Taeb, who says they're now awaiting approval for a business loan before overseeing renovations themselves.
He says they'll be ready to start soon.
"We decided we are going to do it ourselves. We're going to spend over a million bucks there. We're going make it nice," said Taeb.
The Innisfil landmark will undergo some changes with a blend of old and new, according to Taeb.
The low ceiling inside will be raised and the exterior painted a different colour.
A huge sign advertising the restaurant will be placed on Highway 400 at Highway 89.
The name Barkley Square will stay but the sign outside will be neon.
"We're going to renovate the whole thing and keep part of it as the Barkley," said Taeb. "The rest is going to change with different names because we're going to make it into three types of entertainment - one which is all dining, the other one is like a bar where people can sit and have a drink and some fast food and the rest is going to be a very fancy music and dancing. You can come and shake it."
Taeb says they hope to reopen by Christmas.
The Barkley Square has been at 5567 Yonge Street in Innisfil for decades.
The most-recent previous owner, Elisa DiGiambattista, locked the doors for the last time in April after operating the charming, cozy establishment with her husband and family for 29 years.
Taeb says the the Barkley brand is enduring and its classic menu still in demand.
"We've been getting a lot of calls about the Barkley food."
Barkley Square first opened its doors for business on the May 24 weekend in 1947.
William Ronald Barkley was the founder and chef and he operated it with his sister Irene.
Barkley received the first liquor permit in 1957 but it only allowed him to use alcohol for cooking, not serving to customers.
The cottage-style eatery has attracted a clientele of royalty, celebrities and dignitaries including Prince Andrew, film director Norman Jewison and actor Alan Thicke.
