It’s been some time since we heard from the Wurst Place, that wieners-and-beer hall due for South Lake Union. What’s the deal?

Converting the former Outdoors & More retail space into a restaurant has posed considerable challenges, says owner Bob Liptak. That, and the fact “it’s an old building. It’s a really, really old building,” have pushed back the initial mid-summer target open. Still, Liptak, ever the optimist, said the whole process actually has been kinda fun, forcing him and his crew to find creative ways to rehab the spot at 510 Westlake Avenue. Let’s hope the wall o’ gnomes is still in the cards.

Liptak was hesitant to assign another target date—he’s fielded many an anxious inquiry from Seattleites—but he did say this: “I’d love to be open in October. I’m confident we’ll be open by the end of that month.”