Interest in the Leiby's Ice Cream House project is high, but it appears that ice cream fans will have to wait just a little longer.

The restaurant hoped to open before Easter.While it doesn't appear they will make their target, the restaurant's owners are hard at work inside to prepare for the reopening of the South Tamaqua landmark."It's close," John Leiby, who identified himself as one of the co-owners, said on Friday. Leiby said that he's not ready to commit to an opening day for the restaurant.For 40 years, Leiby's was a regular hangout known for ice cream and baked goods. Tourists passing through on Route 309 and would often stop in.The restaurant was opened by the owners of Leiby's Premium Ice Cream in 1965, and underwent several expansions over the years.Leiby's was founded in 1965 by the Zimmerman brothers Floyd, Kenneth and Ronald.New management took over in 1991, and eventually closed its doors in 2007.Last year, members of the Leiby family acquired the building and began renovations in hopes of reopening the Ice Cream House.Most of the work has been taking place inside. John Leiby said he recently did some work outside the building, and in the course of a day had more than a dozen people stop and ask when the restaurant will open."I told them all, 'It's close,' " he said.