The long wait to return to the New Glarus Hotel & Restaurant is nearing an end. But rather than throw open every door and attempt full service all at once, the team reviving the historic downtown landmark intends to bring it back gradually.

In a conversation with New Glarus 360, managing member Christina Bleifuss said the renovation is roughly 95% complete. The remaining work involves not only finishing construction but also inspections, hiring and training employees, testing rooms and menus, and making sure staff can deliver the experience guests expect.

The tentative plan calls for trial runs and a limited offering of drinks and food in December, followed by a fuller grand opening in January. Bleifuss emphasized that those are goals, not firm dates: the sequence depends on final construction work, regulatory approvals and operational readiness.

For a building that has been absent from the village’s dining and social life for years, that measured approach may require some patience from residents eager to get back inside. Bleifuss said she wants to avoid overwhelming a brand-new team with a rush of customers before the operation has found its rhythm.