When Gary’s on Spring, the upscale restaurant in the Irish Hill neighborhood, closed last February, it was a surprise to most and a disappointment to its regular customers. Now there are plans in the works for a new restaurant to open in the space, located at S. 204 Spring St.: Palatucci’s Italian America Ristorante.

According to a post on the business’ Facebook page, the plan is to open the new restaurant before Derby Day, May 4. Executive Chef Richard Britney says he and his wife, Tamara, are still trying to secure final funding to open by May.