April Fool’s Day will also be the opening day for the Amherst Oyster Bar, the long-planned restaurant in Amherst center that will replace Judie’s Restaurant.

While there had been recently announced opening dates of February and March, the websites for the 51 North Pleasant St., both the official amherstoysterbar.com and Archipelago Investments, LLC, the development company for several mixed-use buildings in town, are consistent with the April 1 date.

Amherst Oyster Bar had originally been scheduled to open in fall 2022, but that date was pushed back due to extensive deterioration of the porch and front facade. Work progressed into May 2023, when the interior had been taken back to its studs, though the neon sign for the former Barselotti’s bar, which Judie’s expanded into several years ago, remained intact. Then, by late winter 2024 it appeared Amherst Oyster Bar might be ready open last summer, but instead work was paused for a time.

Sister restaurant Protocol, located in the One East Pleasant building a short distance to the north, served oysters at the Amherst Business Improvement District’s December Sip ‘n Shop Stroll, offering a sneak peek to what Amherst Oyster Bar will have on its menu.