ZELIENOPLE — Joe Maddalon’s jewelry store is next door to the shuttered Kaufman House on Main Street, and he said there’s been at least a 20 percent decrease in foot traffic since the restaurant closed in 2011.

Maddalon on Monday said he is thrilled about plans to reopen the iconic landmark, even if it won’t be for two years.

“That’s something that really is good for the community as a whole,” he said. “The sooner the better.”

The Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau announced last week that it is partnering with Butler County Community College to reopen the Kaufman House.

Once the renovation is complete, the business will have about 20 boutique hotel rooms as well as a restaurant, coffee shop and lounge.

The project, which is expected to cost about $2.5 million, will include the building of a 150-spot parking lot behind the Kaufman House. State grants will be sought to pay for the work.

Because the plan is in its infancy, it’s too early to tell just when the Kaufman House might reopen. However, officials have said it will likely be at least two years.

Richard Eppinger counts himself among the many who can’t wait until the restaurant reopens.

He owns Rich’s Barber Shop on Main Street and has lived and worked in Zelienople for 60 years.

“I remember when they used to have lines wrapped around the building,” he said about the Kaufman House, which used to be known for its chicken dinners.

“If you went to Pittsburgh and said you were from Zelienople, everyone would immediately say something about the Kaufman House.”

Brad Ziegler of Roach and Ziegler Interiors on Main Street agreed with Maddalon about the decrease in foot traffic. And he sees the rejuvenation of the Kaufman House as a “key ingredient” in the revitalization of Main Street.

“The news really has created a lot of enthusiasm around town,” he said.

The excitement isn’t limited to just the business community.

Taelor Vetica walked down Main Street with her dog Monday morning and told a story similar to Eppinger’s, a story about just how important the Kaufman House was and still is to the town.

“Even now when I tell people where I’m from, they reference the Kaufman House,” said Vetica, 23.

Zelienople resident Ashley Madrid hasn’t had the same experience as others, mostly because she moved to the area from Colorado only two years ago. So she’s never lived here when the Kaufman House was open.

However, that doesn’t mean she’s unaware of the impact the business has on the town.

“I’m really excited because there’s not a lot of coffee houses and restaurants around,” she said. “I think it’s something that will definitely draw more people to town.”

Ellwood City resident Kim Litz was not thrilled with the news about the Kaufman House, although she knows just what it means to the people and businesses of Zelienople alike.

“We’re probably going to lose some business,” she said with a smile, noting that she’s a cook at the Kountry Kitchen several doors down from the Kaufman House. “But it’s definitely a great thing for Zelienople.”