NEW HARTFORD — A new restaurant is expected to open at the former Outback Steakhouse building in New Hartford. Outback Steakhouse closed their doors in June 2019 and the building has been vacant ever since.

The building, located at 8655 Clinton St. in The Orchard plaza, has been taken over by Robert Esche, president of Mohawk Valley Garden and the Utica Comets’ AHL team.

New Hartford Town Supervisor Paul Miscione confirmed that Esche has taken over the building and that plans for a new restaurant are under way. Plans for what kind of restaurant the establishment will be and when the restaurant will open have not yet been released.

Renovations have already started as the exterior is currently being painted, wiping away the presence of the former tenant.