THE restored Lake Daylesford Boathouse Cafe will open its doors in two weeks after it was gutted by fire in 2012.
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All that remained after the blaze were the stumps in the ground, but after months of juggling permits, insurance and construction, the icon has been restored to its former glory - and more.
The cafe will feature history from Lake Daylesford, outdoor dining, a restaurant area and an obvious boating theme.
Up to 20 locals will be employed at the new business, which will be operated by co-lessees Chris Malden and Wayne Cross and manager Travis Melotte.
"The building itself is a replica of the former Boathouse but we really wanted to focus on home-made food that is offered quickly," Ms Malden said.
"Most people who live around here use the lake frequently and many want to grab something and go for a picnic.
"We'll be catering towards that need because we don't want it to be just for tourists - we want it to be about the locals too."
The building was restored in the early 1990s and has become a Daylesford institution ever since.
It is located on Crown land and is owned by Hepburn Shire and the Department for Sustainability and Environment.
Insurance has covered the hefty damage bill, but Mr Malden assures there have been a "few twists" added along the way.
"We're hoping to open on December 13 or 14 and invite as many residents as we can," he said.
"We just need to finish off the long list of permit requirements and we'll be ready to go."
