Time is frozen for now inside Valenca on Easton's Centre Square.

The restaurant surprisingly shut down after the New Year's Eve dinner shift, with the message that something new could open within a month.

But the month came and went and part of another followed. A chalkboard on the wall near the dining room welcomes no one to Saturday and Sunday brunch, wine on Wednesdays, Sangria Thursdays, happy hours and hot acoustic jams. A few seats at bar are pushed slightly askew, as if someone just got up for a moment, soon to return.

Mail sits on the floor just inside the side door.

New Year's Eve bombshell: Valenca closes

Late this week, Easton Main Street Manager Kim Kmetz said she spoke to building owner Greg Maroukian.

"There will be a restaurant there, he assured me," Kmetz said by email.

An agreement is in the details stage and "should be signed shortly," she said.

"An announcement will be coming very soon."

The rumor was that Maroukian was going to open his own place. Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said that's what he heard. Kmetz said "word around town" was that it would be a casual Italian restaurant.

River Grill owner George Meireles opened Valenca in 2008 as a Portuguese place then sold the business to Lee Kelechava and wife Meryl Cooper-Kelechava in October 2013. They ran an American fusion restaurant there.

Cooper-Kelechava said they've heard rumors as well, but "we can't confirm anything."

Maroukian, whose business is in Kenliworth, New Jersey, was in a meeting Friday morning and couldn't immediately be reached for more information.

"I'm sure something will happen fast," Kmetz said. "... It's prime space and there have been many inquiries from entrepreneurs that could fill the space."

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

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