A weathered, "unsafe to enter" sign was still taped to the entrance of Chronic Town Wednesday, but work is being done on the hookah lounge for an anticipated fall semester reopening.

Norm Fetter, friend of Chronic Town owner Jesse Ruegg, is helping rebuild the 224 W. College Ave. store. Fetter said the permit held up construction, but it is "definitely reopening, ASAP." Doors were open Wednesday, allowing a breeze to filter into the sawdust-filled lounge.

Ned Ligget, of the Centre Region Code Administration Office, said the architect's construction plans were submitted May 14. After back-and-forth between the administration and Chronic Town, a permit was approved July 13.

The hookah lounge's owner did not return calls for comment Wednesday.

Ruegg originally planned to reopen by spring break, but four months later, the project is just getting underway.

Many fans etched their pleas for the reopening on Chronic Town's temporary wooden door.

Ligget said the full fire inspection might have held up the permit process.

"Part of the fire inspection required Chronic Town to expose areas of the establishment," he said. Ligget said the store may have taken advantage of the process, performing construction that wasn't technically "permitted" yet.

Since the lounge's closing on Dec. 27, 2008, Chronic Town has been going through fire inspections and plan reviews, which delayed the re-opening process. Curious State College residents inquiring about the reopening could hear the sounds of power tools from the top of the cement steps as the recently granted permit allowed construction to finally begin on the fire- and water- damaged establishment.

The fire started in the HVAC system, but sprinklers contained most of the fire to the hookah lounge. Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries, 226 W. College Ave., also suffered fire damages and Viva Bella Salon, 232B W. College Ave., had minimal water damage.