A defunct fine dining restaurant in Harrisonburg has a new owner who says he can make the business profitable in a slow economy.

The sign outside Downtown 56 hasn't changed yet, but inside Craig Moore is working on plans to open his restaurant, Local Chop and Grill House. Items on the menu will range from $6 to $20, but Moore hesitates to call his restaurant "upscale."

With several new restaurants in downtown, Moore says his and others will thrive by each serving a niche. In fact, he says one of his visions for the
business is to complement others in downtown.

"What this does is gives the ability for people out in the county, outside the city to come downtown and once they're down here, they can decide what they want to do. One night one business may be really crowded, they can't get in, so they'll to to another one," says Moore. "So what I think it does is creates a buzz in downtown."

The opening date for Local Chop and Grill House is September 15. Moore has been in the Harrisonburg restaurant business since 1983 and was behind the Joshua Wilton House and Cally's restaurants.

Local Chop and Grill House will also use local produce, meats and other products. Moore says a percentage of sales will go back to the community through local non-profits.