A staple in Historic Arrow Rock will reopen this year with the help of a new non-profit organization.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced Thursday morning that the J Huston Tavern will return to business later this year, after its previous operator unexpectedly closed the historic restaurant in March. Cindy Imhoff, superintendent of the Arrow Rock State Historic Site, calls the tavern a vital part of the community’s history.

Imhoff says a non-profit called the J Huston Tavern Society, whose members include direct descendants of the tavern’s original builder and owner, will assume operation of the tavern. Imhoff says the group has several ideas they hope to carry out when the tavern reopens later this year.

Imhoff adds that the society will also make the second-floor ballroom available for groups of up to 25 people for events including corporate meetings and celebrations. An exact date for reopening has not yet been announced.