As soon as the paperwork is processed to acquire a liquor license, The Depot restaurant in Ironton will be ready to open its doors.

Xiang Linn, son of The Depot operator Linn Ming, confirmed on Friday the target opening date is July 9.

“We’re just waiting,” he said.

Lawrence Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Dr. Bill Dingus said it normally takes 10 to 12 weeks for the Ohio Liquor Control Commission to grant liquor license requests.

“It’s been 10 weeks since we applied (for the liquor license),” Dingus said. “It should be coming along soon. Getting all the required paperwork together and submitting it is sometimes arduous.”

Required documents from the Lawrence County Board of Elections have been submitted and Ironton Mayor Rich Blankenship said he spoke with Ironton Police Chief Dan Johnson and was told that IPD had also submitted its portion of the necessary paperwork.

On April 10 of this year the Ironton City Council adopted ordinance 14-15, which amended ordinance 03-49, authorizing the lease of the Norfolk and Western Railway passenger depot building — home to the former Austyn’s restaurant — to the Lawrence County Port Authority for three five-year periods. Assistant Executive Director of the Ironton-Lawrence County Community Action organization and Port Authority CFO Ralph Kline told council at that meeting that Ming was targeting a May opening date, but June was more likely.

The Depot will serve traditional American fare.