NORWICH – Renovations will begin next week and city officials were informed that a lease has been signed and approved, paving the way for a Denny’s Restaurant to replace Studebaker’s, which officially closed its doors in early January, in the Howard Johnson hotel.

In late April, city officials received payment for, and approved, a permit for construction of the front and rear signs for the new Denny’s restaurant.

Code Enforcement Officer Jason Lawrence, who met with a Denny’s representative Monday to review the building plans, reported that demolition on the interior could begin as early as this week, with renovations to follow, and a tentative opening date of July 1 has been announced.

If renovations have not been completed by July 1, the restaurant would aim to open the Monday prior to the Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, according to Lawrence.