Work to Revive Idle Hour Cafe Begins

It might not look like much, but there's finally some action going down at the long-shuttered La Cana Restaurant and Idle Hour Cafe on Vineland Avenue.

Restaurateur Bobby Green bought the historic property last year and announced plans in the fall to restore the structure to its former glory.

Two weeks ago, a blue tarp was thrown atop the barrel-shaped building and a new fence was put up in front, but Green is staying mum on details of what's to come.

"Ask me in a couple weeks and we should have plans back from the city and some illustrations," he said in an e-mail.

Idle Hour Cafe opened in 1941 and was last in operation as La Cana Restaurant in 1984.

Green owns 1933 Group, which has Bigfoot Lodge and Hollywood's Sassafras under its belt.