Food connoisseurs and specialty drink lovers anticipating the reopening of El Moro Tavern need wait only a little longer: the restaurant plans to be back in business in January.

“We’re thankful to the community and for their patience,” said Kris Oyler, chief executive of the parent company of El Moro and Steamworks Brewing Co. “We know the community is excited to get back in there and we’re excited to get back up and running.”

In October, a fire that caused extensive smoke and water damage to the building on the 900 block of Main Avenue forced the popular bar and eatery in downtown Durango to close indefinitely.

The flames were contained to El Moro, with only minor damage to adjacent businesses. It is suspected a water heater in the rear of the building was the cause of the fire.

Oyler said the floors in the front of the house at El Moro were redone after the fire, but the interior of the building will remain essentially unchanged.

Most of the work was concentrated to the back of the building, where crews repaired fire damage.

As for El Moro’s employees, Oyler said 36 out of the 42 staffers will return to work. He said the employees have been paid during the closure, and were asked to volunteer in the community.

“We asked them to take some time to volunteer until we get back up and running,” he said.

Oyler said he would not have an estimate for total cost of repairs until renovations are complete. He said El Moro hopes to reopen mid-January, but that depends on when equipment is delivered and inspections are complete.

He said El Moro will reopen as soon as possible, and it’s likely the restaurant will hold a fundraising event for the grand reopening after operations are back up and running.